What to Do About Cracked Fruit in Loquat? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Control Measures

The loquat is a precious fruit unique to the south. Its fruit is attractive in appearance, bright in color, sweet in taste, and distinctive in flavor. However, during the ripening period of the loquat, if wet and rainy weather occurs, the fruit rapidly expands, which leads to fruit cracking. Cracking causes the loquat to lose its commercial value, reduces the economic returns of fruit growers, and also makes it highly susceptible to pests and diseases. So how should loquat fruit cracking be controlled? Let us take a look.

1. Fruit bagging

Bagging loquat fruit in a timely manner can provide the fruit with a suitable and stable growing environment, and this is one of the main control methods for reducing cracking caused by climate change. In addition, after bagging, it can also reduce damage from pests and diseases as well as from high and low temperatures. Before bagging, do a good job of disinfection and sterilization and pest and disease control, try to keep the fruit from directly touching the bag surface to avoid sunscald, and tie the bag opening tightly.

2. Scientific watering and fertilizing

Reasonable and scientific watering and fertilizing can also effectively prevent fruit cracking. For fertilization, use organic fertilizer as much as possible, as this can both improve the soil structure, provide the plant with diverse nutrients, increase its yield, and also lower the fruit cracking rate. In orchard management, water is extremely important. Pay attention to supplying water evenly. When the climate and soil are dry, water promptly to keep the soil moist and provide what the plant needs for growth. In rainy seasons, drain promptly to prevent waterlogging, so that the plant does not absorb too much water, expand rapidly, and crack.

3. Reasonable shaping and pruning

Loquat plants have extremely strong sprouting ability. If they are not pruned in time, they will grow numerous branches in a short period, resulting in a tall and large canopy. Moreover, these branches are numerous and thin, and they will consume a large amount of the plant's nutrients, so the fruit cannot get enough nutrients for growth, thereby causing fruit cracking. Therefore, while the plant is growing, dwarf it so that the canopy is shorter but the branches are thick and strong, which is conducive to nutrient supply, allows the fruit to grow well, and reduces the occurrence of fruit cracking.

4. Chemical prevention

In modern cultivation, a large number of chemical agents are widely used. During the fruit growth period of the loquat, spraying agents on it can excellently prevent the occurrence of fruit cracking. At the color-turning stage of the fruit, spraying ethylene solution in time can effectively prevent loquat fruit cracking, and can also make the fruit mature 7-10 days earlier, allowing it to be marketed earlier and seize the market in time. In addition, during the fruit expansion period, foliar spraying with 0.2% urea and 0.2% borax solution can promote fruit growth and development and reduce the occurrence of fruit cracking.

The above are control measures for loquat fruit cracking. We hope they can help you. If you want to learn more about loquat cultivation, please stay tuned to us.