ISHS Acta Horticulturae 313: III International Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
A CHEMICAL THINNING EXPERT SYSTEM ON THE PENN STATE APPLE ORCHARD CONSULTANT EXPERT SYSTEM |
| Authors: | R.M. Crassweller, G.M. Greene II, V. Eby, S.S. Miller |
| Abstract:
In apple production one of the most difficult decisions for commercial growers involves chemical fruit thinning. Many factors impinge upon the decision including tree and fruit characteristics, climatic conditions before, during and after the applications of thinners, and previous cropping history. Traditional recommendations utilize a range of rates and require the individual grower to consider many factors to determine the application rate. We have developed a working module of a decision support system that considers a multitude of climatic, cultural and application conditions to make a recommendation for the use of chemical thinners. The expert system was designed to aid commercial growers in arriving at a rate for chemical thinning of apples using napthalene acetic acid (NAA), napthalene acetamide (NAD) or carbaryl. The system is designed to take advantage of the grower's experience and to adjust the rate based on the current season's climatic and cultural conditions. | |
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