Apple Tree: Important Tasks at Pea Stage

 In my previous post I have discussed about Apple tree: Important Tasks at Petal Fall Stage. Now the time is approaching for Pea Stage of fruit development in apple. 

During the pea stage of fruit development in apples, the fruitlets are about the size of a pea (typically 6–10 mm in diameter). This is a critical period for several orchard management practices that impact fruit size, quality, and overall tree health as this is the period when cell multiplication takes place. Here are the important tasks to be carried out at this stage:

🌱 1. Thinning

• Why? Reduces fruit load to improve fruit size, colour (Exposure to light), and return bloom for the next year.
• How it is to be done?
• Chemical thinning is common at this stage (e.g., using NAA, NAD, or carbaryl).
• Follow with manual thinning later if needed.
• The pea stage is ideal because the tree hasn't committed all resources yet.

🛡️ 2. Pest Management

• Key pests to monitor and control:
• Fruit Borer (Helicoverpa) (1st generation egg hatch begins around this time)
• Aphids, leafrollers, and mites
• Use IPM practices, pheromone traps, and targeted insecticides based on monitoring.

🍄 3. Disease Management

• Critical for controlling:
• Apple scab
• Powdery mildew
• Maintain a protective fungicide program and remove infected shoots.

💧 4. Irrigation Management

• Young fruitlets need adequate water to develop properly.
• Begin regular irrigation scheduling based on soil moisture and weather.

🧪 5. Nutrient Management

• Foliar feeding (e.g., calcium sprays) may begin to improve fruit quality and prevent disorders like bitter pit.
• Continue soil or fertigation-based nutrient supply as per leaf or soil analysis.

✂️ 6. Training & Pruning Touch-Ups

• Light summer pruning may begin:
• Remove competitive and vigorous upright water shoots (suckers)
• Improve light penetration (better spur development for next year) and air circulation (Better disease control)

📋 7. Monitoring & Record-Keeping

• Record fruit set, thinning effectiveness, pest/disease pressure, and phenological stages for future reference and management decisions.