Milić B., Magazin N., Keserović Z., Dorić M., 2011. Flower thinning of apple cultivar Braeburn using ammonium and potassium thiosulfate -Short communicaton. Hort. Sci. (Prague), 38: 120-124.Ammonium and potassium thiosulfate are used commercially or experimentally as flower thinners because they are considered user, environment and consumer safe. The thinning trials were conducted in 2009 and 2010, on three-and four-year-old Braeburn Mariri Red* trees. The chemicals were applied at 1%, 2% and 3% rates of ammonium and 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of potassium thiosulfate. Both thinning agents reduced fruit set, but were more efficient in 2009, when applied at 20% full bloom, than in 2010, when they were applied at 80% full bloom. Flower thinning with ammonium and potassium thiosulfate increased the average fruit weight, but the highest chemical rates retarded fruit growth. Ammonium and potassium thiosulfate did not affect fruit shape and firmness, but they increased starch degradation, total soluble solids content and titratable acidity. The treatments increased the percentage of flower buds, except at the highest chemical rates, where leaf damage reduced flower bud formation. Ammonium or potassium thiosulfate application may be recommended as the first step in a chemical thinning program.

Milić B., Keserović Z., Dorić M., Ognjanov V., Magazin N. (2015): Fruit set and quality of self-fertile sweet cherries as affected by chemical flower thinning. Hort. Sci., 42: 119-124.Self-fertile cherry cultivars can produce an excessive crop of small fruits with low sugar content. In order to prevent overcropping and provide high quality fruits, chemical thinning of flowers is required. Ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), surfactants and plant oils are used to thin flowers, mostly in apple and peach. The purpose of this research was to compare the effectiveness of the blossom thinners ATS, surfactant Silwet and rapeseed oil (Ogriol) in reducing fruit set of the self-fertile sweet cherry cultivars Alex and Sunburst and their potential to improve fruit quality. At lower rates (1 and 2%) ATS did not consistently reduce fruit set, while at higher rate (3%) it produced visible phytotoxicity on the leaves. ATS treatments did not increase the average weight and diameter of fruits. 10 and 30 ml/l Ogriol application did not reduce fruit set significantly or improve fruit quality of self-fertile sweet cherries. The surfactant Silwet applied at the rates of 1 or 3 ml/l was found to consistently thin self-fertile sweet cherry cultivars, leading to better fruit quality.

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Magazin N., Keserovi Z., Mili B., Dori M., 2012. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) aff ects cv. Royal Gala apple fruit quality at harvest and after storage -Short communication. Hort. Sci. (Prague), Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis was applied at a concentration of 125 g/l of active ingredient on Royal Gala apple trees 4 weeks before the anticipated harvest in two consecutive years. Immediately after harvest fruits were stored at 1°C and 90% of relative humidity for up to 90 days. Quality assessments of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and fi rmness were done on 30-days intervals after harvest. Treating Royal Gala apples with AVG signifi cantly slowed down starch degradation in fruits but in the same time increased fruit weight. Also, the development of over colour was negatively aff ected. A positive infl uence on fruits' fi rmness was also evident, while there was no infl uence of AVG on TSS and TA.

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