A research report from Dr. David Sugar, Oregon State University, Medford Bartlett pear growers practice a variety of techniques to increase the size of the fruit on their trees, in order to take advantage of the greater value returned for large fruit. Hard pruning, detailed hand thinning, and precise irrigation and nutrient management are critical elements of a large-fruit strategy. Growers may also apply the hormones NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) or NAD (napthaleneacetamide) as fruit thinners, although the results have been inconsistent and highly sensitive to temperatures following application. At the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center near Medford, we have […]