Fruit Numbers, Fruit Size, and Yield Relationships in ‘McIntosh’ Apples1

Abstract

In 3 ‘McIntosh’ apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards, yield was positively related to fruit numbers, but negatively related to fruit size. Increases in fruit size from thinning were proportionately less than decreases in fruit numbers. Fruit thinning increased the percentage of larger fruits, but reductions in yield were such that the actual number of large fruits was either unchanged or reduced.