Fruitometry services
Using Fruitometry’s digital crop estimate across the growing season provides growers and managers with insights to make earlier crop management decisions. Our current technology can be utilised at the following stages of the growing season.

Winter buds
The winter bud scan can be done as soon as the cane has been tied down and the orchard is mulched. Winter buds are reported as counts per square metre and serves as a quality check on winter pruning and to pinpoint areas that may need more wood removed before budburst.

Shoots
Shoots can be detected after the buds have burst (at least 2cm long) but before the shoots start to overlap each other. A shoot density heat map can be used to assess bud burst rate, early management of flower bud numbers and a shoot knockout strategy.

Flower buds
Flowers buds can be measured when the buds are fully developed, preferably just before the flowers open. The density of flower buds can be reported per square metre and can assist with the thinning strategy by identifying heavier loaded zones.

Fruitlets
Fruitlet density can be mapped as early as 14 days after fruit set. This helps with identifying and planning for fruitlet thinning and understanding the variation of fruit set across the orchard.

Fruit
A fruit digital crop estimate is useful for final thinning decisions and to estimate the harvest.
“Fruitometry is simply the most accurate way of managing crop load in our orchard. The density reports give a clear picture of where the work needs to be.”
Marc Jenkins, PacificHort
When to scan your orchard

Winter Buds
July to
September
Winter prune and tie down is complete
Assess quality of winter pruning
Target areas of overloaded buds
Early indication
of crop load



Shoots
Late
September
Shoots longer than 2cm but not overlapping each other
Early management of flower bud numbers
Assessment of bud burst rate
Shoot knockout strategy



Flower Buds
October to
November
Just before flower bud opens
Define king flower load thinning strategy
Early crop load indication



Fruitlet
November to
December
14 days after fruit set
Early thinning
Optimise labour resources
Assessment of crop variability
Early harvest estimate



Fruit
January to
harvest
Crop load management
Harvest estimation
Optimise harvest labour and resources
Market allocation planning


Get in touch to find out how our innovative technology can help you