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10 SEPTEMBER 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com PHOTOS COURTESY BAS VAN DEN ENDE Left: In Australia, Bartlett trees are traditionally pruned. Many of these laterals are upright and do not spur up in the second year. About one in three floral buds will set fruit that makes it to harvest. Right: Growth regulators, a compatible pollinizer, beehives, low-flow irrigation, regulated deficit irrigation, and delayed heading of the tops have completely changed the fruiting habit of these trees from predominantly lateral bearing to spur bearing. 25 mm (1 inch) long. The second and third sprays were applied at 10-day intervals after the first spray. In the experiment in Australia, the effects of foliar sprays of the growth regulator, two beehives, RDI, and delay-heading included: —Suppressed growth of new shoots and bourse shoots. —Flowers set fruit in clusters of three and four as a result of less competition for nutrients and carbohydrate reserves between flowers in a cluster (See photo on pages 8-9). —Restricted early shoot growth, which allowed more nutrient and carbohydrate reserves to go to early fruit growth. —Good distribution of sunlight throughout the canopies during summer. —A gross yield of 128 tonnes per hectare/bins per acre and a canning-grade (larger than 65 mm or 2.5 inches) yield of 123 tonnes per hectare/bins per acre. —The lateral-bearing trait was changed to a predom- inantly spur-bearing trait, setting the trees up for high sustainable yields and ease of management (See photos above). In this simple field experiment, using tree manage- ment without the use of a size-controlling rootstock, we have shown that Bartlett trees on Tatura Trellis can produce exceptionally high yields of fruit of good size and quality. This enables orchardists to become compet- itively profitable with this pear, not only for the fresh fruit market but also for processing. Important note: Neither paclobutrazol nor Apogee are registered for use on pears in the United States. However, Kudos (prohexadione calcium) from Fine Americas is in the experimental phase and might be labeled for pears in the future, according to Dr. Todd Einhorn, horticulturist at Oregon State University. Read about Einhorn's research on prohexadione cal- cium use in d'Anjou and Starkrimson pears in the article "Vigor control and promotion of fruiting of pear trees," in the February 15, 2013, Good Fruit Grower or online at bit.ly/GFG_Vigor. Bas van den Ende is a fruit consultant in Australia's Goulburn Valley. Mick Conti is an orchardist in Ardmona. The 12th-year yield calculation: T he block of 825 Bartlett trees on Tatura Trellis represents 0.371 hectare or 0.928 acre. Rows are 4.5 meters wide (5 feet), trees are 1 meter (3 feet) apart = 2,222 trees per hectare or 968 trees per acre. Harvested 122 bins at 389 kilograms = 47.5 tonnes 47.5 tonnes equates to a gross yield of 128 tonnes per hectare/bins per acre. Minus 4 percent culls = 123 tonnes per hectare/bins per acre. Dolco Packaging New Premium Pear Tray Now available in: Euro Tray Pack Sizes ET 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 • Premium protection for the pears. • Enhances presentation of the fruit. • Packs faster than existing Euro's, by eliminating the use of individual wraps. • Eliminates use of layer pads. Also available: Premium Apple Trays with • Patented design with built-in channels to allow moisture to run off in hot/humid climates. • Available in full line of apple tray sizes (48's through 150's). Dolco manufactures foam packaging and containers in a wide variety of shapes sizes and strength. Contact your DOLCO PACKAGING OR HR SPINNER CORP. Sales Representative for more details. 800•613•8415 or 509•661•3176 1121 South Columbia Street - Wenatchee, WA 98801