Healthy Fruit 2001 Vol. 9:20

USApple Forecast

The USApple Association has just released it's forecast for the 2001 apple harvest. Nationwide, the crop is expected to be down 15% from last year. This should be good news for producers as prices and demand for the 2001 harvest are likely to be better than in recent years. In New England, production is forecast to be down from 2000 in all States except Maine. Here are USApple's numbers for New England:

Duane Greene Harvest the Potential Report for August 21

Although scattered showers and thunderstorms have moved through the area over the past week, the scattered nature and light amount have failed to alleviate moisture stress in most orchards lacking irrigation. Fruit is sizing less rapidly than normal. Fruit size in monitored blocks of McIntosh, Delicious, and Gala is 2.70 in., 2.63 in., and 2.46 in., respectively. The increase in fruit size over the past week was 3.7%, which is below the rate of growth we normally expect. Time of anticipated ripening remains close to or slightly earlier than historical norms. The ideal time to apply ReTain to McIntosh and Gala was last week, however, it is not too late to apply ReTain now. Application at this time should still comfortably allow the lapse of at least 21 days between application and the start of harvest. The most likely consequences of application of ReTain at this time include: a reduced effect on the delay in ripening, a lack of drop control for the first 10 to 14 days after application, but an extension of drop control later in the season.

Starch Test Best

Using the Starch-Index (SI) Test, growers have at their hands a simple way to help judge apple maturity. The SI Test is particularly suitable for McIntosh, Gala, Empire, and Delicious, however, it can be used for other varieties too. SI Test solution can be easily made or bought. Armed with a one-quart plastic spray bottle, a kitchen knife, and the appropriate SI chart, apple maturity can be quickly and easily assessed in the field or in the shed, and is highly recommended. Of course other factors such as taste, flesh firmness, background color, date of full bloom, and drop should also be taken into consideration when determining apple maturity.

Here are some useful resources and publications on the SI Test, including how to make or buy the solution and the appropriate charts. If you need more information, do not hesitate to contact Wes Autio or Jon Clements.

From the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, two publication on using the SI test, including directions for making the solution and charts for McIntosh, Delicious, Empire, Idared, and Spartan

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/00-025.htm

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/00-027.htm

For purchasing SI Test solution and charts

Cascade Analytical, 800-545-4206, http://www.cascadeanalytical.com

Wilson Irrigation, 1-800-232-1174, http://www.wilsonirr.com/ecommerce/

For more details on harvest maturity from the Penn State Fruit Production Guide 2016-2017

http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/tfpg

On the UMass Fruit Advisor, another article with more details on judging apple maturity using the SI Test, and charts for Gala, Liberty, Mutsu, and Cortland

http://ag.umass.edu/fruit/newsletters/healthy-fruit/healthy-fruit-2001-vol-920

A very good reference, including a generic SI Test chart and directions for making SI Test solution

‘Predicting Harvest Date Windows for Apples,' Information Bulletin 221, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 607-255-2080, https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/3299