Metamitron Thinning Efficacy of Apple Fruitlets Is Affected by Different Rates, Timings and Weather Factors in New York State

Abstract

Precision chemical thinning is the most common method of thinning apple fruitlets because it requires little time and is cost-effective. The aims of the current study were I.- to investigate the effect of the application of metamitron at different rates on ‘Gala’ apples; II.- to determine which fruit diameters were most sensitive to metamitron spray at several rates (between 180 and 500 ppm); and III- to identify the key environmental factors that explain Metamitron efficacy on a year-to-year basis. Eighteen trials were conducted over seven seasons, from 2015 to 2022 in ‘Gala’ apple orchards in Geneva (New York State). Metamitron was applied at different rates between 180 and 500 ppm, and the timing of the application was between petal fall (4.5 mm) and 18.5 mm fruit size. In each of the studies and years, the effect of meteorological parameters was evaluated. Our results suggest that a linear rate effect was observed in all trials, but that there were differences between the slopes of the regression every year because chemical thinning efficacy was variable year to year. The maximum metamitron efficacy was between 9.5 and 11 mm king fruit diameter; however, metamitron showed thinning efficacy at all phenological stages, from petal fall to 18.5 mm in ‘Gala’ apples. Our results suggest that the important meteorological factors affecting thinning efficacy were temperature and solar radiation on the day of application and for the next 6 days. The solar radiation after application of metamitron was the most important meteorological factor. Fruit drop caused by metamitron increased with low solar radiation. The minimum and maximum temperatures were also important factors in determining metamitron efficacy. A high minimum temperature (during the night) increased the fruit drop caused by metamitron and the maximum temperature during the day showed a negative correlation with the efficacy of metamitron.