Postbloom Thinning Response of ‘Bartlett’ Pears to Abscisic Acid

Abstract

Postbloom thinning of ‘Bartlett’ pears (Pyrus communis L.) is required to produce fruit of commercially acceptable size. In the Pacific Northwestern United States, low temperatures during early stages of pear fruitlet development often limit the efficacy of commercial thinning compounds. Hand thinning, therefore, remains the standard crop load management practice. Chemical thinning protocols are necessary to reduce the cost and dependence on hand labor. The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) was evaluated over multiple years in several ‘Bartlett’ pear orchards. ABA was applied to whole canopies at variable rates (50–500 ppm) when fruit diameter was generally between 10 and 12 mm. In three of four trials, ABA thinned in a dose-dependent manner. The relative degree of thinning for a given dose, however, was inconsistent among trials. Trees treated with ABA had a higher proportion of blank and single-fruited spurs than the control. Net photosynthesis (Pn) of single leaves was reduced 75% to 90% within one day of ABA application but gradually returned to ≈80% of control levels within 7 days and fully recovered by ≈14 days. Slightly greater and longer lasting Pn inhibition occurred with increasing ABA dose. Fruit weight and return bloom generally increased with increasing ABA rate. Fruit quality, when measured, was unaffected by ABA treatments. Inconsistent thinning response with ABA may be attributed to environmental factors, biological factors, or both.