Effect Of Crop Load Research Articles

Flower Bud Induction of Sweet Orange Trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]: Effect of Low Temperatures, Crop Load, and Bud Age

Citrus flowering is a complex phenological process influenced by a number of interacting factors. Low winter temperatures are recognized as an important factor, but the flowering response has not been quantified under Variable natural conditions. A study was conducted to monitor the flower bud induction response of `Valencia' and `Hamlin' sweet orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] to naturally occurring winter weather conditions during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. The flowering response was quantified and related to shoot age, bud position along the shoot, local weather information, and crop load status. Results indicate that buds on previous summer shoots developed 2.52 and 3.59 to 1 flower on spring shoots, for `Hamlin' and `Valencia', respectively. In addition, buds at apical positions produced more flowers than buds located far from the apex. These basal positions buds required higher induction levels. Under Florida conditions, greater accumulation of hours of temperatures 11 to 15 °C increased floral intensity by the combined effect on the number of sprouting buds with reproductive growth and the number of flowers per flowering bud. Some statistical analyses indicated that high winter temperatures reduced flowering in `Valencia' and `Hamlin' oranges. The presence of fruit consistently reduced reproductive response for both cultivars. Crop load reduced flowering by an average of 41.5% compared to no crop and varied by cultivar. A discussion on the different induction requirements as well as on the differential effect of crop load on flowering by cultivar is presented.

Rootstock Effects on Growth, Cell Number, and Cell Size of `Gala' Apples

The effects of rootstock on growth of fruit cell number and size of `Gala' apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh) were investigated over three consecutive seasons (2000-02) growing on Malling 26 (M.26), Ottawa-3, Pajam-1, and Vineland (V)-605 rootstocks at the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station near Sturgeon Bay, WI. Fruit growth as a function of cell division and expansion was monitored from full bloom until harvest using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cell count and cell size measurements showed that rootstock had no affect on fruit growth and final size even when crop load effects were removed. Cell division ceased about 5 to 6 weeks after full bloom (WAFB) followed by cell expansion. Fruit size was positively correlated (r2 = 0.85) with cell size, suggesting that differences in fruit size were primarily a result of changes in cell size rather than cell number or intercellular space (IS).

Effects of crop load on tree water use in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.)

Sap flow rate measurements were carried out during two consecutive ('on' and 'off') years in an apple orchard cv. 'Florina' M.26 to analyse the effects of various crop load on tree water use. Sap flow rate was measured by thermal dissipation method in trunks of nine trees from June to the harvest. Crop load was between 0.2-9.0 fruits • cm -2 of trunk cross section area (equal to 0.5-35.0 fruits•m-2 of leaf area), trunk diameter varied between 4.7-8.7 cm.
 Total leaf area was estimated by leaf counting or using shoot girth and leaf area relationship. In both years, fruit growth rate was determined by measuring diameter of 280 marked fruits with 7 days frequency. Fruit volume calculated as a function of fruit diameter based on a previously determined relationship.
 Total leaf area of trees ranged from 4.4 to 19.5 m2 and it was closely related to trunk cross section area. At high crop load the fruit growth rate peaked in August with 0.51.tree-l.day-1 and the leaf area specific total fruit volume reached 61 m2 before the harvest.
 There was a linear relationship between total leaf area and daily water use, while the leaf area specific water use was influenced by crop load rate. The relationship was described by piecewise linear regression with the breakpoint at crop load rate of 12 fruits•m2 of leaf area. At low crop load the slope of the fitted regression line was less than at high crop load rate.

Crop Load and Rootstock Influence on Dry Matter Partitioning in Trees of Early and Late Ripening Peach Cultivars

Effect of crop load on dry matter partitioning was studied on 3-year-old peach [(Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Peach Group)] trees of the early ripening `Early May Crest' (EMC) grafted on `GF677' and Penta (Prunus domestica L.) rootstock and the late ripening `Flaminia' grafted on `GF677' rootstock [(Prunus persica × Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb] and grown outdoors in 230-L containers, for 2 years. Fruit thinning was carried out 10 days after fruit set to produce different crop loads. Trees were sampled destructively throughout two growing seasons and divided into above-ground and root components, for dry matter and carbohydrate analysis. At the end of the fruit development period, in the first year, total tree dry matter accumulation was related linearly to crop load even when the increase in crop load greatly decreased vegetative and root growth. Total dry matter accumulation was highest in EMC/`GF 677' at any specific crop load, and EMC trees on `GF677' allocated relatively more dry matter than EMC/`Penta' trees to vegetative and root growth, even under increasing fruit sink demand. Two consecutive years of heavy crops resulted in an inverse relationship between crop load and dry matter accumulation of trees, due to a major reduction of vegetative, root, and fruit growth. The percentage of dry matter partitioned to fruit decreased with the vigor of the rootstock, and EMC/`Penta' trees had the lowest harvest index at each specific crop load. The early ripening EMC/`GF677' trees which had twice the harvest index of `Flaminia'/`GF677' trees for any level of crop load. `Flaminia'/`GF677' trees had the largest canopy size. Starch content in the roots was lowest for cropping trees and depended on the rootstock and on the length of the fruit development period, being highest for the late ripening `Flaminia'/`GF677' trees. Individual fruit weight decreased with crop load, and the reduction of fruit size was related to rootstock and time of ripening.

Crop Load Reduction and Fruit Size Following Multi-step Thinning of 'Empire' Apple

Two years of field experiments were conducted in eastern New York to evaluate the efficacy of a multi-step thinning approach on reducing crop load (no. fruit per cm2 trunk cross-sectional area) and increasing fruit size of 'Empire' apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.). Applications of Endothall (ET) at 80% bloom, NAA + carbaryl (CB) at petal fall (PF), and Accel™ + CB at 10 mm king fruitlet diameter (KFD), alone and in all combinations, were compared to a nonthinned control and to the application of NAA + CB at 10 mm KFD (commercial standard). In both 1996 and 1997, orthogonal contrasts indicated the multi-step treatment significantly increased fruit size, reduced cropload, and reduced yield compared to single applications. Effects on cropload of consecutive treatments were largely predicted by multiplying effects of individual treatments. Although all thinning treatments except for NAA + CB at PF in 1997 significantly reduced cropload, no single treatment thinned sufficiently to ensure good return bloom. Compared to NAA + CB at 10 mm KFD, multi-step thinning with NAA + CB at PF followed by Accel™ + CB at 10 mm KFD produced bigger fruits in both years, and resulted in a higher percentage of spurs carrying a single fruit in 1996. When fruit size was evaluated after removing the effect of cropload (cropload adjusted fruit weight), NAA + CB at PF, Accel™ + CB at 10 mm, and the two applied sequentially, resulted in greater cropload adjusted fruit weight than the nonthinned control in both years, whereas NAA + CB at 10 mm did not. Contrast analysis of treatments with and without ET showed no significant effect of including ET on fruit size, though total cropload was reduced at P = 0.10 and total yield was reduced (P = 0.03 in 1996 and P = 0.12 in 1997). No deleterious effects from multi-step treatments have been observed. All thinning treatments significantly increased return bloom in 1996 and 1997 compared to the control with little difference observed between treatments. Chemical names used: naphthalene acetic acid (NAA); 1-naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate [carbaryl (CB)]; 6-benzyladenine [BA (Accel™)]; 7-oxabicyclo (2,2,1) heptane-2,3 dicarboxylic acid [ET (Endothall™)]

Formation of flavonoids and chlorogenic acid in apples as affected by crop load

The effects of crop load on the concentrations of flavonoid and chlorogenic acid in skin and on quality characteristics of mature fruit has been studied. Three crop load levels of about 50, 100 and 200 fruits per tree (about 35, 60 and 100 t/ha), representing low, moderate and high loads, respectively, were established on ‘Jonagold’ apple trees by fruit thinning 8 weeks after full bloom (FB). Also three crop load levels of about 60, 100 and 140 fruits per tree (about 35, 50 and 70 t/ha), representing low, moderate and high loads, respectively, were established by thinning ‘Red Elstar’ apple trees at FB, and 4 and 8 weeks after FB. Similar results were found for both cultivars. At a low crop load, fruit weight, soluble solids, acidity and firmness were significantly higher than at high and moderate loads. However, the concentrations of flavonoid and chlorogenic acid were not affected by crop load. For ‘Red Elstar’, the time of thinning did not affect the concentrations of flavonoid and chlorogenic acid in fruit skin or fruit weight, soluble solids, acidity and firmness. Removal of only the interior fruits (about one-third of total fruit) at about 4 weeks before expected commercial harvest did not influence the concentrations of flavonoid and chlorogenic acid or quality of the remaining exterior fruits of either ‘Jonagold’ or ‘Elstar’. The results indicate that, assimilate availability is not a major regulatory factor in flavonoids and chlorogenic acid formation in apples.

Effects of Crop Load on Fruiting and Gas-exchange Characteristics of `Braeburn'/M.26 Apple Trees at Full Canopy

Effect of crop load on tree growth, leaf characteristics, photosynthesis, and fruit quality of 5-year-old `Braeburn' apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] trees on Malling 26 (M.26) rootstock was examined during the 1994-95 growing season. Crop loads ranged from 0 to 57 kg/tree [0 to 1.6 kg fruit/cm2 trunk cross sectional area (TCA) or 0 to 8.7 fruit/cm2 TCA]. Fruit maturity as indicated by background color, starch/iodine score, and soluble solids was advanced significantly on low-cropping trees compared to high-cropping trees. Whole-canopy leaf area and percentage tree light interception increased linearly with a significant trend as crop load decreased. From midseason until fruit harvest, leaf photosynthesis decreased significantly on lighter cropping trees and similarly, a positive linear trend was found between whole-canopy gas exchange per unit area of leaf and crop load. Leaf starch concentration in midseason increased linearly as crop load decreased, providing some explanation for the increased down-regulation of photosynthesis on trees with lower crop loads. After fruit harvest, the previous crop loads had no effect on leaf photosynthesis and preharvest differences in whole-canopy gas exchange per unit area of leaf were less pronounced. At each measurement date, daily whole-canopy net carbon exchange and transpiration closely followed the diurnal pattern of incident photosynthetic photon flux. The photochemical yield and electron transport capacity depended on crop load. This was due mostly to reaction center closure before harvest and an increased nonphotochemical quenching after harvest.

Calyx-end splitting and physico-chemical properties of ‘Pacific Rose’TM apple as affected by orchard management factors

SummaryCalyx-end splitting (CES) is a preharvest quality defect that affects ‘Pacific Rose’TM apple. This paper reports the results of a study to determine the effects of orchard management factors on fruit physico-chemical properties and the development of CES in ‘Pacific Rose’TM apple. The onset of fruit splitting occurred at about 20 weeks after full bloom (WAFB). Withholding irrigation from 14 WAFB until commercial harvest (26 WAFB) reduced splitting incidence by 46%, whereas low crop load significantly increased splitting by over 61%. There was no consistent significant effect of crop load or irrigation treatment on total soluble solids (TSS), penetrometer or compression measurement of fruit firmness during the season, although withholding irrigation and high crop load generally enhanced fruit firmness.

Changes in primary and secondary growth as influenced by crop load in ‘Fantasmet’® apricot trees

SummaryThe effect of crop load on the growth dynamics of individual shoots was analysed in apricot trees in the third growing season, comparing their development at two initial locations along the bearing branch. Growth dynamics were observed throughout the growing season, from April to August, and took into account both primary growth (i.e..number of expanded leaves) and secondary growth (i.e. basal diameter increment). Crop load influenced primary growth rhythmicity and more precisely growth resumption within the growing season. The length of the growing period and the number of expanded leaves were more signi®cantly reduced on shoots originated from a proximal position along the branch than in a distal position. Thus, crop load enhanced the acrotonic distribution of branching. The allometric relationship between the basal diameter and the number of expanded leaves per shoot was not dependent upon shoot type, location or crop load treatment. Arguments are provided supporting the hypothesis that cambial growth occurring soon after the expansion of the preformed leaves is responsible for cessation of primary growth. This competition was shown to be independent of crop load and to involve only vegetative organs. These results indicate that the sink demand of the secondary growth and the resulting competition with the primary growth should be taken into account in the carbon economy of fruit trees, and that the competition between organs is not equally distributed between the organs of a given type but depends on their relative location.

Seasonal changes of mineral nutrients in olive leaves during the alternate-bearing cycle

Samples of olive ( Olea europaea L.) leaves developed in 1993, 1994 or 1995 were collected separately from non-irrigated, mature trees at monthly intervals during 1994 (`off' year) and 1995 (`on' year) to determine leaf-nutrient concentration and nutrient content per leaf. N, P, K and Mg contents were affected by crop load, showing lower values following the `on' year. No effect of crop load was observed on micronutrient accumulation in leaves, probably because of the lower requirements for these elements of the olive fruit. Leaf age also influenced leaf-nutrient concentration and nutrient content. Leaf N, P, K, Zn and B concentrations were higher in younger leaves, whereas leaf Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Fe concentrations were higher in older leaves. Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Fe content per leaf were also higher in older leaves. There was little or no difference in P, K, Zn and B content among leaves of different ages. N content per leaf was higher in older leaves during the growing period of the `off' year. Seasonal mineral fluctuations curves for different leaf mineral nutrients were developed which could be used in the interpretation of leaf analysis.

Harvest Date and Crop Load Effects on a Carbon Dioxide–related Storage Injury of `Braeburn' Apple

The incidence and severity of “`Braeburn' browning disorder” (BBD), a CO2-induced disorder of `Braeburn' apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.), vary markedly with production district and orchard block. We investigated the effects of harvest date, blush, and crop load on fruit maturity, minerals, skin permeance, and BBD incidence. Incidence of BBD was higher in late-than in early-harvested fruit and in fruit on light than on heavily cropping trees, but blush intensity did not influence susceptibility to the disorder. Fruit maturity factors were affected by region, harvest date, blush type, and crop load, but no consistent relationships between these factors and BBD occurrence were found. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, and/or K were influenced by harvest date, blush type, and crop load, and skin permeance to gas exchange was affected by growing region and blush type, but not by harvest date or crop load. However, no physiological or mineral factor measured in this study was strongly correlated with susceptibility of fruit to BBD. Fruit from orchards that have a history of susceptibility to BBD, or subjected to adverse harvest date, regional, crop load, microclimate, and seasonal influences, should be segregated at harvest, and should not be held in controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage. Crop load should be managed to reduce the occurrence of biennial bearing.

Effect of crop load on fruiting and leaf photosynthesis of 'Braeburn'/M.26 apple trees.

Four-year-old apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) trees cv. 'Braeburn' on M.26 rootstock were thinned at full bloom to establish six crop loads ranging from a heavy crop to a deflowered treatment. At harvest, mean yield per tree varied from 0 to 38 kg and mean fruit weight ranged from 225 g in the heaviest cropping treatment to 385 g in the lightest cropping treatment. Light cropping resulted in a significant advance in fruit maturity as indicated by background color, starch/iodine score and soluble solids. There were small differences in leaf photosynthetic rate among the treatments when shoot growth was active. However, in early January, coincident with cessation of shoot growth and maximum rate of accumulation of fruit weight, leaf assimilation rate was reduced by as much as 65% on the deflowered trees compared to the trees carrying the heaviest crop. Leaf assimilation rate showed a curvilinear response to crop load at this time, with little increase in leaf assimilation when crop load exceeded 12 fruit m(-2) leaf area.

The effect of irrigation and crop load on stem water potential and apple fruit size

SummaryThe effect of irrigation rate under various crop loads on the fruit size of apple (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Golden Delicious) was investigated in three field experiments in 1993–1995. During the first two years the field experiments evaluated the effects of various crop loads on yield, fruit size and midday stem water potential under 40% deficit irrigation. In 1995, the effects of five irrigation levels (0.42–1.06 of USDA Class A evaporation pan) and four crop loads (100–450 fruits per tree) were studied in a factorial experiment. Midday stem water potential increased with irrigation level and decreased with crop load in 1993 and at the lowest irrigation level in 1995. Daily fruit growth rate decreased with midday stem water potential in 1993 and at the lowest irrigation level in 1993. The effect of crop load on fruit growth rate was associated with limited soil water availability. A reduction in yield and average fruit size were associated with midday stem water potentials lower than –1.3 MPa. Taking an additional 0.1 MPa as a safety factor, –1.2 MPa could serve as a reasonable threshold for irrigation control in the orchard.

Diagnostic leaf nutrient standards for low-chill peaches in subtropical Australia

Summary. A leaf nutrient survey was conducted of the low-chill peach cultivars, Flordaprince (October maturing) and Flordagold (mid November–early December maturing) at 3 commercial sites in both northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Recently mature leaves from the middle third of a current season’s fruiting lateral (spring flush) were sampled at stone hardening and 2-weeks postharvest and of a non-fruiting lateral at maturity of the summer flush (after summer pruning) during the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons. At an additional site in New South Wales (Alstonville), leaf nutrient concentrations were also determined on cv. Flordagem (early November maturing) at 2-week intervals during both seasons. Soil (0–30 cm) chemical determinations were conducted at all sites at 2-weeks postharvest Seasonal trends in leaf nutrient composition were associated with a leaf age–maturity effect. As flush leaves matured during spring, and as mature leaves aged after hardening of the summer flush, nitrogen (N) concentration declined and calcium (Ca) concentration increased. Nitrogen and Ca concentrations increased when young leaves produced from the summer flush were sampled. Time of sampling produced the most consistently significant (P<0.05) main effects on leaf nutrient concentration. The 2-week postharvest period was selected as a convenient time to sample—when leaves were of a consistent age and maturity, and the effect of crop load on tree nutrient reserves was still present. Paclobutrazol, which reduces vegetative growth in stonefruit, was applied to all Queensland sites and, as a consequence, mid lateral leaves contained higher (P<0.05) Ca, magnesium (Mg) and chloride (Cl) and lower (P<0.05) N and phosphorus (P) concentrations than leaves from New South Wales sites. State effects can therefore be interpreted as paclobutrazol effects. Cultivar effects (P<0.05) occurred for many leaf nutrients, however, at the 2-week postharvest sampling, concentrations were sufficiently similar to combine as a narrow adequate concentration range for both cultivars. The diagnostic adequate leaf nutrient concentrations were within the range developed for high-chill peaches (Leece et al. 1971) with the exception of lower Ca, lower Mg for New South Wales (both cultivars), lower iron for Flordaprince (both states), higher P for Flordaprince in New South Wales and higher manganese values for Queensland (both cultivars). Regression analyses were conducted between leaf and fruit nutrient concentrations and soil chemical properties. The only consistent result demonstrated that as the soil Ca : Mg ratio increased, leaf Mg concentration decreased exponentially (P<0.001), indicating that the practice of heavy annual agricultural limestone or gypsum applications in the absence of Mg fertiliser, which had been adopted by several growers in the survey, is associated with lower leaf Mg concentrations.

Water stress and crop load effects on fruit fresh and dry weights in peach (Prunus persica).

Effects of water stress on fruit fresh and dry weights were investigated in peach trees, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch., with varying crop loads: light, moderate and heavy. In well-watered controls, tree water status was independent of crop load. In trees receiving reduced irrigation, the degree of water stress increased with increasing crop load. Water stress induced fruit fresh weight reductions at all crop loads. Fruit dry weight was not reduced by water stress in trees having light to moderate crop loads, indicating that the degree of water stress imposed did not affect the dry weight sink strength of fruit. Water-stressed trees with heavy crop loads had significantly reduced fruit dry weights, which were likely due to carbohydrate source limitations resulting from large crop carbon demands and water stress limitations on photosynthesis.

Estimation and Significance of Nutrient and Starch Storage Pools in Mature, Alternate-Bearing Pistachio (Pistacia vera. L.) Trees

The effect of crop load on nutrient and starch storage in mature, alternate-bearing pistachio trees was examined. Tree storage pools were estimated from the differences in nutrient and starch contents of perennial tree parts between dormancy (the period of highest nutrient and starch content) and following spring flush (the period of lowest nutrient and starch content). Following a lightly cropping (off) year, trees contained significantly larger N, P, and K storage pools than following a heavily cropping (on) year. The relative contribution of leaf nutrient resorption to tree nutrient storage pools varied depending on the crop load. Nutrient storage is a function of net leaf nutrient resorption and current uptake from the soil. Leaf nutrient (N, P, and K) resorption was a more significant component of nutrient storage in on-year than off-year trees. The contribution of nutrient storage to shoot (i.e., leaves, fruit, current-year wood) nutrient contents was evaluated following the spring flush (May) and nut fill (September) periods. Nutrient storage pools are an important source of nutrients during the spring flush of growth, but nutrient demands during nut fill are met primarily by current nutrient uptake from the soil. The relationships between nutrient storage and uptake are discussed.

Effects of crop load on fruit water relations and fruit growth in peach

SummaryMany studies have reported the effect of crop load on leaf water relations of fruit trees but none have dealt with the effect of crop load on water relations of the fruit and how such an effect might influence fruit growth. This is of interest because it could improve our understanding of the relationship between crop load and fruit size. In this study, we measured fruit water potential, fruit osmotic potential, fruit turgor potential and fruit growth, and leaf water potential and leaf conductance on nine-year-old ‘Yanco Queen’ peach ‘Prunus persica (L) Batsch’ trees carrying different levels of crop load. The trees were trained on Tatura trellis and had been either left unthinned (heavy crop load: 450 fruit per tree in 1986 and 560 fruit per tree in 1987) or were thinned (light crop load: 310 fruit per tree). Trees carrying the heavy crop load had lower fruit water potential and higher fruit osmotic potential, and consequently lower fruit turgor potential compared with trees carrying a light crop ...

Influence of Shoot Number and Crop Load on Potted Chambourcin Grapevines. I. Morphology and Dry Matter Partitioning

Two-year-old Chambourcin grapevines were grown in 19-L pots with the following treatments: one or four shoots and no clusters (1/0 and 4/0, respectively); one shoot and one cluster (1/1), and; four-shoots with one (4/1), two (4/2), three (4/3) or four (4/4) clusters. Four-shoot vines had greater leaf area, shoot length and leaf numbers per vine, but one-shoot vines had longer shoots, larger leaves, and greater leaf area and leaf number per shoot. Crop load effects on canopy morphology were relatively small. Berry number per cluster, berry weight and fruit soluble solids were not different among treatments, but 4/2, 4/3, and 4/4 vines had two to three times greater fruit fresh weight than did 1/1 and 4/1 vines due to greater berry numbers per vine. Whole vine dry weight was never different among treatments, but there was a positive linear relationship between berry number and vine dry weight at harvest. This suggests that carbohydrate sink strength must be in balance with sources to maximize dry matter production. Partitioning of dry matter to fruit at the expense of vegetative tissues accounted for fruit dry weight at low crop loads. Increased dry matter production per unit leaf area was necessary to mature fruit at high crop loads. Since fruit is approximately 75% H₂0 by weight at harvest, small increases in dry weight result in large increases in yield. These data indicate that: (<i>(a)</i>) vegetative sinks have a greater impact than fruit on canopy morphology; and (<i>(b)</i>) carbohydrates used in fruit production are primarily derived from greater partitioning to fruit at the expense of vegetative tissues and greater dry matter production between veraison and harvest in vines with increasing fruiting sink strength.

Cropping Efficiency of Young `Fuji' Apple Trees

Effects of crop load and time of thinning on productivity of young `Fuji'/M.9 apple trees were tested by hand blossom (B) or fruit (F) thinning to two crop densities (fruit number/trunk cross-sectional area). Heavy (H) crop densities resulted in higher yields in both 2nd and 3rd leaf than light (L) crop densities. Time of thinning had no effect on yields in either year. In the 2nd leaf, fruit size was largest from trees B thinned to L crop densities, and smallest from trees F thinned to either crop density from mid-June through harvest. Both 1° and 2° vegetative growth were greatest in noncropped trees, intermediate in trees with L crops, and least in trees with H crops. Noncropped 2nd-1eaf trees had the highest flowering indices (flower clusters/100 total buds) the following spring and H cropped trees had the lowest. The flowering index was higher when trees were B thinned in the 2nd leaf than when F thinned. In the 3rd leaf, fruit size was largest when borne on weak upright shoots, intermediate on spurs, and smallest on 1-year-old terminal wood. Fruit on spurs had the highest incidence of sunscald (17%) and fruit on weak upright shoots the lowest (8%). Previous-season crop densities affected current-season's vegetative and fruit growth.

Crop Load Effects on Irrigated and Non-irrigated Vitis vinifera L. cv. Thompson Seedless

A study was conducted to determine the effects of crop removal on gas exchange parameters of `Thompson Seedless' grapevines grown in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Vines were either irrigated at full ET or not irrigated throughout the growing season. Clusters were removed subsequent to veraison, when the fruit soluble solids were ≈15° Brix. Reductions in leaf net CO2 assimilation rate (A) were measured within 1 day of fruit removal for both irrigation treatments and remained such until the end of the experiment. The greatest reduction in A due to crop removal on a diurnal basis was with the non-irrigated vines between 0800 and 1000 hr. The reduction in A subsequent to crop removal was not the result of an accumulation of either starch or sugars in leaf tissue. The greater reduction in A of non-irrigated vines after fruit removal may have been due to the lack of strong, alternate sinks as vegetative growth was minimal due to water stress during the experimental period.