World 1st for Phosyn
Ezy-Thin is now registered as a blossom thinner for pipfruit and stonefruit crops.
New Zealand pipfruit and stonefruit growers can now benefit from the introduction of a new soluble concentrate liquid registered as a blossom thinner for pipfruit and stonefruit crops. The Ezy-Thin registration can be viewed on the New Zealand Food Safety Authority website at www.nzfsa.govt.nz/acvm/ by entering Reg. no P7139.
Fruit Thinning
Fruit size is one of the determining factors to the value of the crop and the main factor that will devastate fruit size is the absence of fruit thinning. It´s one management practice that, if carried out correctly, can have a profound and direct impact on the commercial success of the crop. Chemical thinning is far cheaper and far less labour intensive than hand thinning. Potential for larger fruit size at harvest is enhanced by the removal of excess fruit as early as possible. Blossom thinning avoids competition between fruit through the critical cell division growth stage, when many traditional
chemical thinners are applied.
How does it work?
Ezy-Thin acts as a desiccant thinner by scorching the petals preventing fertilisation of the ovules, resulting in an early fruit drop. In some instances it´s quite normal to get some temporary marginal leaf scorch, especially at the higher rates. However, this hasn´t resulted in any negative effect on tree health or crop yield.
Research
Phosyn have been researching ATS in New Zealand for 4 years in all the major fruit growing regions of Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Canterbury and Central Otago and on the major varieties grown in New Zealand.
Advantages
Ezy-Thin isn´t as temperature reliant as many other chemical thinning products. Research has shown improved return bloom the following season which is ideal for bi-annual bearing varieties. It´s very cost effective compared to many other chemical thinning products.
Author: Michael Waites, New Zealand
Published: October 2004