Yield increase and higher flesh firmness of 'Arctic Snow' nectarines both at harvest in Australia and after export to Taiwan following pre-harvest application of ReTain Plant Growth Regulator (aminoethoxyvinylglycine, AVG)

Abstract

The effects ReTain Plant Growth Regulator (830 g in 1000 L water/ha) applied to a commercial block of 'Arctic Snow' nectarines 7 days before the first harvest was assessed in relation to harvest delay, fruit size, fruit quality (flesh firmness and brix), as well as the quality of the fruit following export to Taiwan. The untreated block (0.87 ha) and the ReTain-treated block (1.0 ha) were harvested according to the orchard's standard maturation criteria of background colour, size and percent blush colour. Based on picking schedules, the maturation of the ReTain block was delayed by 2.75 days (