From Tradition to Innovation: The Role and Strategic Importance of Mechanical Blossom Thinning in Organic Apple Cultivation

8. ISPEC ULUSLARARASI MODERN BİLİMSEL ARAŞTIRMALAR KONGRESİ, Gothenburg, İsveç, 1 - 08 Temmuz 2025, ss.53, (Özet Bildiri)

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an innovative orchard management technique mechanical

thinning on fruit yield and quality characteristics of apple cultivars grown under organic horticulture

conditions. The research was conducted in Karapınar (Konya Province, Türkiye) during the 2020 and

2021 growing seasons, using six apple cultivars: ‘Braeburn’, ‘Buckeye Gala’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Granny Smith’,

‘Golden Delicious’, and ‘Idared’. Phenological observations, including beginning of flowering, full

bloom, end of flowering, and harvest time, were recorded. In addition, final fruit set rates, yield per tree,

yield per trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), and yield per decare were measured. Fruit quality as well

as skin and flesh color were also assessed. Field observations revealed that flowering began at the end

of April and fruit set occurred in the first half of May under the ecological conditions of Karapınar. The

harvest period varied among cultivars, ranging from late August to early October. Results demonstrated

that mechanical thinning (M2+E) effectively reduced biennial bearing across all cultivars, significantly

increased yield, and improved fruit quality traits.

As a result, these findings highlight mechanical thinning as a promising and sustainable innovation in

organic apple production, offering a viable alternative to labor-intensive hand thinning practices. The

technique not only optimizes yield and quality but also contributes to reducing labor dependency,

enhancing the efficiency and scalability of organic orchard management systems..

Keywords: Organic horticulture, apple, mechanical thinning, yield, fruit quality, biennial bearing