Thinning flat peaches with ethephon and its effect on endogenous ethylene production and fruit quality

Peach orchards are usually hand-thinned at around 40–60 days after bloom, but this practice is labor-intensive and costly. Ethylene plays a key role in peach fruitlet abscission foliar applications of ethephon have been reported to be effective some cultivars induce fruit abscission. However, results inconsistent there no experiences about its application flat peaches and/or inducing flowers Ethephon (from 0 300 mg L–1) was applied ‘Flatbeauti’ trees 30 % 100 full bloom 30, 40 50 DAFB determine the best time or abscission, as well investigate effect on quality parameters relationship ethylene evolution pattern throughout growth. Abscission production were related concentration. In general, mean three independent experiments, an 8–9 reduction set, 3–14 increase size, 10–16 yield, with each incremental 75 L–1 ethephon. The late increased endogenous up harvest influenced maturity. Finally, our indicate that range 150 can used 30–40 adequate levels crop load without other side effects.