Precision Crop Load Management
Anna Wallis, Tree Fruit and Grape Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Precision Crop Load Management (PCLM) is a 3-step process of managing apple crop loads more precisely:
1. Prune to a specific flower bud number
2. Chemically thin to a specific fruit number
3. Hand thin to a specific fruit number
PCLM VideosThe link below includes 3 PCLM videos produced by the Lake Ontario Fruit Team on PCLM.http://www.goodfruit.com/videos-teach-precision-crop-load-management/
Precision Chemical Thinning
Precision Chemical Thinning is the second leg of managing apple crop loads more precisely in the Precision Crop Load Management system. It utilizes sequential chemical thinning sprays guided by the use of the carbohydrate model and the fruit growth rate model to more consistently achieve a target crop load.
The presentation below on Precision Chemical Thinning was given by Terence Robinson on April 29, 2015. It explains the steps involved and outlines the protocol for the thinning trial being conducted in the 2015 season.
A recording of the precision thinning WebEx presentation can be viewed herehttps://cornell.webex.com/cornell/ldr.php?RCID=56af8ee7a0c79a21953bf8314ef9b81b
Interested in Participating in the 2015 Precision Thinning Program?
Please contact Dan Donahue djd13@cornell.edu or Anna Wallis aew232@cornell.edu of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program if you would like to train your farm employees to conduct fruit measurements this year. Do not forget to send your target fruit number and flower cluster counts to Terence Robinson (tlr1@cornell.edu) by full bloom).
Precision Thinning 2015 TR (pdf; 1635KB)
- Presentation given on 4/29/15
Apples
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Peas
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Plums
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Pumpkins / Gourds
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Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
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Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
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Upcoming Events
Rulfs Orchard Vegetable and Berry Field Meeting
August 4, 2026
Peru, NY
Join CCE vegetable specialists Elisabeth Hodgdon and Chuck Bornt for a vegetable and berry field meeting at Rulfs Orchard, in Peru, NY. We'll tour the farm's fields and talk about integrated pest management of sweet corn and cucurbit crops. Then, we'll view a drone demonstration and discuss new technologies for pesticide application and spotted wing drosophila management in berries. Light refreshments will be provided. A rain date will be announced if adverse weather is predicted.
Field Day at Philia Farm
August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Visit organic seed production trials and tour the farm to see small-scale production systems at work, including tarping, cover cropping, and the use of assorted mulches and covers to modify the growing environment.
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on August 11 for the Capital Region Orchard Twilight meeting in Saratoga! We will be touring Bowman Orchards and reviewing seasonal recommendations for pests and diseases for apples, plums, and berries, as well discussing crop insurance.
NYSDEC Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits: 1.25 in categories 22, 1A, & 10. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.