Improving Fruit Quality

Preventing Apple Fruit Russet

Fruit russet is a particularly common problem in Golden Delicious. It is typically caused by the presence of water on the fruit surface during the first 45 days of fruit development. High relative humidity, dew or rain, light frosts, and reaction to some pesticides may also cause russeting. Multiple applications of gibberellic acid (GA4+7) during the 45-day period after bloom has been shown to reduce fruit russeting. See table below.

Using GA4+7 (ProVide, NovaGibb) to Prevent Apple Fruit Russet

Rate of ProVide
Timing
Notes

10-13 oz/100 gal
Start at late bloom or petal fall

Repeat every 7-10 days for a total of 4 applications
Do not exceed 40 oz/acre in one season

Can be mixed with pesticides

Cannot be mixed with nutrient sprays or spreader-stickers

Do not apply through irrigation

Improving Fruit Shape

A combination of benzyladenine (BA) and gibberellic acid (GA4+7) is sold as Promalin or Perlan and can be used to increase fruit size and “typiness” (fruit length) of lobed apple varieties such as Delicious. Reports from Michigan and other eastern regions have shown a negative interaction between Promalin application and subsequent NAA thinning applications. However, this has not been as big of a problem in the West. See table below.

Using BA and GA4+7 Formulations to Improve Apple Fruit Shape

Rate of Promalin
Timing
Notes
Single Application
Do not exceed 2 pints per acre in one season.

1-2 pints/acre
Early king bloom to early petal fall.

Split Applications

½-1 pint/acre
Apply first spray at start of king bloom.

Apply second spray when remaining side blooms have opened.