Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Western Australia, Series 3
Volume 1
Number 1 January- February,1952 Article 7
1-1952
Apples, pears,and stone fruit Apples, pears,and stone fruit
H. R. Powell
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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Powell, H. R. (1952) "Apples, pears,and stone fruit," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 1: No. 1, Article 7.
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Jan.-Feb., 1952] J O U R N A L O F A G R I C U L T U R E , W.A. 39
APPLES, PEARS & STONE FRUITS
Season's Prospects Reviewed
By H. R. POWELL, B.Sc. (Agric.) (Superintendent of Horticulture)
D
ISAPPOINTING settings of pome fruits have been a feature of this season's crop reports. Hail caused heavy losses in restricted areas a n d a lot of fruit was blemished by looper caterpillars. The setting of stone fruits was particularly good.APPLES
Flowering.—In contrast to t h e ex- perience of recent years, delayed foliation was not a factor to be con- tended with this season and conse- quently most varieties flowered in their proper sequence. The flowering itself was even and mostly heavy, with the main exception of J o n a t h a n s . This variety flowered unevenly and gave little promise of setting a heavy crop.
Weather conditions during the latter part of October were mostly unseason- able, being cold, showery, and in t h e Southern and South-Western districts rain fell. These conditions followed a very dry and warm spring—conditions suitable for t h e rapid development of thrips. A careful watch was maintained and it was only in t h e Great Southern districts t h a t they appeared in plague form. They were present in other dis- tricts in greater n u m b e r s t h a n usual, particularly in t h e Hills districts. It was possible for some growers to take control measures a n d a number sprayed their orchards with D.D.T.
Setting.—Generally t h e setting h a s been disappointing. There was every indication t h a t t h e crop would be u n i - formly heavy in t h e South-Western dis- tricts following last season's medium crop. The setting of some of the main varieties in these districts although not heavy, is reasonably good; the varieties concerned being G r a n n y Smith, Cleo- patras, Yates and Rokewoods, a n d to a
lesser extent J o n a t h a n s . Most of t h e late varieties, including Statesman, Nickajacks and Rome Beauties, are much lighter t h a n usual; Dunns have also set a very light crop. A feature of the crop in these districts is t h e even- ness of the setting and excellent growth of the fruit. There is no doubt t h a t severe winter temperatures prevented delayed foliation.
Very poor crops have set in the G r e a t Southern districts, including Mt. Barker, Kendenup, Albany and Denmark. Thrips were present here in plague proportions and did considerable damage to t h e blos- soms. It is significant t h a t most growers who sprayed early, obtained good set- tings. On those orchards t h a t were not sprayed, the trees are very light; it is most unusual to see numerous trees of such consistent bearers as Yates a n d Cleopatras completely devoid of fruit.
These districts usually average 350,000 bushels of fruit annually, a n d as it is expected this season t h a t the total pack out of fancy and better grades (export standards) will not exceed 50,000 bushels, it is apparent t h a t a very severe blow h a s been dealt to the fruit production of t h e State.
A lighter t h a n average setting was also experienced in t h e Hills districts. Thrips were present in the blossoms in large numbers, but at no stage did they a p - proach plague proportions. I t is a p p a r - ent, however, t h a t some damage was done and it is significant t h a t where
Journal of agriculture Vol. 1 1952
40 J O U R N A L O F A G R I C U L T U R E , W.A. [Jan.-Peb., 1952 sprayings with D.D.T. were carried out
t h e setting was much heavier.
Growing Conditions.—Growing condi- tions h a v e been particularly good a n d trees in most orchards are making excel- l e n t growth. Average fruit size is much g r e a t e r t h a n h a s been t h e case for quite a n u m b e r of years. There is a n increase in t h e a m o u n t of leaf variegation or
"chlorosis," but this condition does not cause m u c h damage unless t h e season t u r n s out very hot, when the chlorotic leaves t e n d to burn very readily.
Blemish due to insect bites is more common t h a n usual. Extensive damage h a s been caused by looper caterpillar and to a lesser extent by climbing cutworm a n d spring beetle.
T h e r e a r e still a number of growers who delay control measures until they a r e satisfied t h a t t h e expense is war- r a n t e d ; by t h a t time the damage is often widespread. It is significant t h a t where 0.1 per cent. D.D.T. was used against thrips, a n d a r s e n a t e of lead was applied immediately after petal fall, damage was negligible. On unsprayed orchards 60-
100 per cent, of the fruit on the trees is m a r k e d ; t h i s is very a p p a r e n t in the G r e a t S o u t h e r n districts.
"Dimpling" of G r a n n y Smiths is com- m o n on light crop trees, but does not a p p e a r to be as widespread on trees which were sprayed with D.D.T. for t h r i p s control. This m a t t e r will be in- vestigated n e x t season.
Generally, orchards are in good con- dition a n d t h e trees are making excellent growth. Such pests as t h e apple leaf- hopper a n d bryobia mite are not as yet causing concern.
Hail caused some damage in widely s e p a r a t e d areas. A severe storm in early December ruined a n area in the Donny- brook district; but, though unfortu- nately disastrous for the growers con- cerned, t h e damage was not spread over a large portion of this district. It is estimated t h a t approximately 10,000 cases h a v e been ruined.
Estimate of Crop Production.—It is estimated t h a t t h e apple crop this year will approximate 1,037,000 bushels good a n d better grades.
PEARS
Following last season's heavy crop the setting h a s been disappointing, parti- cularly in t h e Great Southern districts.
T h e most consistently good varieties are Bartletts a n d Keiffers and it is ex- pected t h a t these crops will approximate to 75 per cent, of last year's production.
Export varieties such as Cornice, Pack- h a m s Triumph, Josephine and Beurre Bosc, have set light to medium crops and Winter Nelis much lighter.
The incidence of "Black Spot" has been severe, due no doubt to the moist spring and early summer weather con- ditions. Even on many sprayed orchards damage is considerable, not only on the foliage, but on the fruit as well.
Estimate of Crop Production.—It is estimated t h a t the pear crop will a p - proximate to 79,500 bushels good and better grades, of which Bartletts will a m o u n t to 27,000 and Keiffers to 8,000 bushels.
STONE FRUITS
Stone fruits have set heavily in all districts, with the possible exception of Goldmine nectarines. Mid-season and late varieties of apricots have not car- ried heavy crops for a number of years, but this season the setting has been good.
One of the difficulties of a heavy stone fruit crop is the necessity for heavy t h i n n i n g s ; without this the fruit does not develop properly and consequently brings poor prices when marketed. The failure to t h i n adequately is due in some instances to lack of labour, but in others it is due to the attitude of the growers concerned. It is very noticeable t h a t the higher m a r k e t r e t u r n s come to those who regulate the cropping of ,their trees by intelligent pruning and heavy t h i n - ning.
Journal of agriculture Vol. 1 1952
