Making Thinning An Exact Science: Equilifruit disk offers a visual way to gauge crop load

摘要

WHAT started off as an experiment has become a valuable tool in the orchards at Penn State's Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, PA. The Equilif ruit disk was created by the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) in Francefor use in spur pruning. While on an International Fruit Tree Association trip to Europe, the Equilifruit disk found its way into the hands of Pennsylvania grower Dan Boyer, who passed it on to Penn State University (PSU) researchers to see if it wouldbe of use stateside. Jim Schupp, associate professor of pomology at the Fruit Research and Extension Center at PSU, noted that after doing some research, they discovered that the original disk was used as a guide for hand thinning.