Crop Load Management Update: 04/26/20

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Gala heavy fruit set

The post-bloom thinning window is well underway and several growers made thinner applications last week. Output from the Carbon Balance Model for four sites in western NC (Apple Wedge, Flat Rock, Sugarloaf, and Morganton) and two sites in North Georgia (Blue Ridge and Ellijay) is below (click figures to enlarge). Spring 2020 has been very challenging for chemical thinning across all sites, mostly due to unseasonably cool temperatures.

A continued carbon surplus is predicted for NC sites, but somewhat favorable temperatures for thinner activity are predicted on 4/28 (Tuesday). When using “normal product rates”, mild thinner activity was predicted for all NC sites over the past 3 weeks due to cool temperatures. Interestingly, the predicted “sweet spot” for tree susceptibility to chemical thinner activity (200 to 250 GDD after full bloom) aligns with applications made early this week.

GA sites appear to have a favorable thinning window early this week, due to predicted cloud cover and warm temperatures.


Running the Model

If you have access to NEWA, I highly recommend calculating the carbon balance for your own site. Predicted weather data is used in these estimates and the forecast can change throughout the course of a day. If you’d like to run the model on your own, the link at the NEWA site is on the drop-down menu under “Crop Management”. Choose a site nearest your orchard location and enter your Green Tip and Full Bloom date. If using the 2019 version of the model, select the % of flowering spurs that is most appropriate for the block(s) you plan to thin. Then select the green “Calculate” button.

It is very likely that if you run the model on your own, you will observe different and more accurate output. Potential reasons for this deviation in output includes:

1) Use of different model versions. I am reporting data from the 2019 version of the model and selected 50-75% flowering spurs.

2) Different green tip/bloom dates used.

3) Model output is based on forecast data, so the output will change as the forecast changes (a key incentive to run this on your own, if possible).


North Carolina

Edneyville, NC (Apple Wedge)

4.26.20: Edneyville (Apple Wedge) Apple Carbohydrate Thinning Model Results
Date Max Temp Min Temp Solar Rad Tree Carbohydrate Balance (g/day) Accum. Degree Days Thinning Rec.
(°F) (°F) (MJ/m2) Daily 7-Day Ave (since bloom)
26-Apr 64 50 20.9 37.01 28.13 201.1 Increase Chemical Thinning Rate by 30%
27-Apr 63 41 23.8 62.52 34.28 208.2 Increase Chemical Thinning Rate by 30%
28-Apr 71 44 23.3 48.78 218.3
29-Apr 68 49 11 3.96 229.1
30-Apr 65 45 21.4 53.98 237.8
1-May 66 47 23.7 56.77 247.4

Edneyville, NC (Sugarloaf Mtn)

4.26.20: Edneyville (Sugarloaf Mtn) Apple Carbohydrate Thinning Model Results
Date Max Temp Min Temp Solar Rad Tree Carbohydrate Balance (g/day) Accum. Degree Days Thinning Rec.
(°F) (°F) (MJ/m2) Daily 7-Day Ave (since bloom)
26-Apr 63 47 20.4 27.14 18.35 186.8 Increase Chemical Thinning Rate by 30%
27-Apr 63 42 24 45.87 21.75 194.2 Increase Chemical Thinning Rate by 30%
28-Apr 70 44 23.3 31.62 204.1
29-Apr 66 48 11 -8.25 214
30-Apr 65 45 21.5 35.89 222.7
1-May 66 47 23.7 38.07 232.4

Flat Rock, NC

4.26.20: Flat Rock Apple Carbohydrate Thinning Model Results
Date Max Temp Min Temp Solar Rad Tree Carbohydrate Balance (g/day) Accum. Degree Days Thinning Rec.
(°F) (°F) (MJ/m2) Daily 7-Day Ave (since bloom)
26-Apr 64 47 16.8 20.63 18.41 190.6 Increase Chemical Thinning Rate by 30%
27-Apr 64 41 24.1 51.43 24.84 198 Increase Chemical Thinning Rate by 30%
28-Apr 70 43 23.5 38.82 207.6
29-Apr 68 48 11 -7.22 218.1
30-Apr 65 45 21.6 42.59 226.8
1-May 67 47 23.8 44.49 236.7

Morganton, NC

4.26.20: Morganton (Apple Hill Orchard) Apple Carbohydrate Thinning Model Results
Date Max Temp Min Temp Solar Rad Tree Carbohydrate Balance (g/day) Accum. Degree Days Thinning Rec.
(°F) (°F) (MJ/m2) Daily 7-Day Ave (since bloom)
26-Apr 68 53 20.5 36.84 30.52 231.3 Increase Chemical Thinning Rate by 30%
27-Apr 68 42 23.7 64.29 31.83 240.1 Increase Chemical Thinning Rate by 30%
28-Apr 74 45 23.7 53.38 251.3
29-Apr 71 50 10 -2.31 263.2
30-Apr 71 46 21 46.4 273.9
1-May 71 49 23.6 47.17 285.4

Georgia Locations: Carbon Balance Model Output

Blue Ridge, GA

Carbon balance model for Blue Ridge, GA

Predicted Thinning Index: 4.26.20 Blue Ridge, GA
Date Days after bud break High Temperature (F) Carbon Balance (g/day) Thinning Index
26-Apr 38 55 -18.5 -0.28
27-Apr 39 67 32.9 -2.88
28-Apr 40 74 -15.3 -9.38
29-Apr 41 67 -26.3 1.41
30-Apr 42 61 13.4 8.72
1-May 43 70 17.1
2-May 44 78 -4.3

Ellijay, GA

Carbon balance chart for Ellijay, GA

Predicted Thinning Index: 4.26.20 Ellijay, GA
Date Days after budbreak Daily High Temp. (F) Carbon Balance (g/day) Thinning Index
26-Apr 38 56 -28.2 -6.4
27-Apr 39 70 27.3 -8.5
28-Apr 40 76 -18.4 -10.6
29-Apr 41 69 -34.3 2.0
30-Apr 42 63 21.0 13.6
1-May 43 71 19.2
2-May 44 79 0.6

Thinning Index (For GA sites)

Thinning index chart


Notes on Using Output from the Carbon Balance Model

The Apple Carbohydrate Balance Model is a useful tool in making chemical thinning decisions. This model was not developed to account for all factors that influence the efficacy of a thinner application; it was developed to estimate the carbohydrate status of the tree. In short, the carbohydrate balance model is a valuable tool, but other factors need to be considered when making a chemical thinning decision.

A positive carbohydrate balance makes it more difficult to thin whereas increasing carbohydrate deficits are predicted to increase the response to chemical thinning sprays. For example, you might respond to a predicted carbohydrate surplus or mild deficit by either adopting a more aggressive approach to chemical thinning or by waiting until more ideal conditions for thinning develop. Alternatively, if the model is predicting a severe carbohydrate deficit then you might consider reducing the rate of chemical thinner or perhaps not applying a thinner at that time for risk of over-thinning.