Apples
Apple Spray Programme
Fruit Set
Panorama Golden & Golden Delicious
Three different growing regions
A 54% increase over the untreated control was achieved
Fruit Set & Retention
Visual representation of the number of fruit thinned by standard hand thinning practice for treated and untreated control
Fruit Set & Retention
Fuji - Under net
Langkloof - 2023
Commercial trial
The C4L programme doubled the average fruit per tree, increasing from 44 to 88 compared to the untreated control
C4L applications at 500 mL/ha:
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70% Petal fall
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+ 28 days later
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+ 28 days later
Fruit Size Distribution & Fruit Weight
Fuji - Planted under net
Langkloof - 2023
Commercial trial
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Shift in Size Distribution: The C4L programme shifted fruit size distribution towards larger fruits.
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Increased Fruit Weight: A 21% increase in average fruit weight was achieved.
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Higher Packout Percentage: The programme resulted in a higher packout percentage, indicating improved fruit quality and marketability.
C4L applications at 500 mL/ha:
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70% Petal fall
-
+ 28 days later
-
+ 28 days later
Colour Enhancement
Pink Lady
Elgin - 2010
A 12% increase in the number of fruits within the desired category was achieved
Colour Enhancement
Royal Gala
Elgin - 2010
A 27% increase in the number of fruit within the desired category was achieved
Increased Fruit Weight
Four different varieties
9 trials done between 2010 - 2014
Four different growing regions
A 10.4% average increase in fruit weight
Fruit Size Distribution
Golden Delicious
Elgin - Three consecutive seasons
Over three years, the C4L programme consistently shifted fruit size distribution towards larger sizes, significantly increasing average fruit weight
Fruit Finishing:
Stem-end Russeting
Panorama & Golden Delicious
Three growing regions
Seven trials
The C4L programme consistently improved fruit finish across seven trials in three growing regions, significantly reducing stem-end russeting
Fruit Finishing:
Retiform Russeting
Panorama & Golden Delicious
Three growing regions
Five trials
The C4L programme significantly enhanced fruit finish by reducing the occurrence of retiform russeting
Bitter Pit Incidence
Panorama Golden
Paarl - Four consecutive seasons
Over four years, C4L combined with the grower's standard practice, consistently reduced bitter pit incidence compared to the standard practice alone
C4L applications at 500 mL/ha:
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Mid October 2010
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+ 28 days later
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+ 28 days later
Bitter Pit & Russeting
Panoromama Golden
Paarl - 2010
Percentage bitter pit incidence after storage at 4°C for 26 days
Fruit:
Calcium content (mg per 100 g fresh weight)
Golden Delicious - Villiersdorp
Ruby Gala - Witzenberg
Adding three C4L aaplications to the standard 12-application Calcium programme, significantly enhanced fruit calcium content