THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN FRUIT NUMBER, TREE SIZE AND THE YIELD AND FRUIT SIZE OF FANTASIA NECTARINE

These relationships were independent from the season. Increased fruit size is achieved at the expense of yield. When the yield data is expressed as commercial pack out of each size grade the higher the crop load the greater is the amount of fruit which falls into the smaller fruit grade sizes. However a higher total yield of larger size grade fruit are achieved at a higher fruit number per tree. The evidence presented suggests the fruit drop between thinning and harvest is the major contributor to yield variation from year to year and not the fruit growth rate. A negative correlation exists between crop load and tree size increase as measured by trunk cross-sectional area. The use of this information as a means of assisting with fruit thinning decision is discussed. The advantages of thinning to a fixed percentage of fruit existing at thinning as a method for this type of experiment are also discussed.

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