Soil management and mineral nutrition
Herbicide-based soil management may reduce phosphorus uptake into leaves and fruits and increase susceptibility of fruit to low temperature breakdown during storage. Apply phosphorus sprays in Cox and Bramley orchards where phosphorus levels in the fruit are consistently low.
Ensure sufficient weed-free areas in Bramley orchards to reduce the competitive effects of grass on nitrogen uptake. Intense competition will reduce yield and fruit size and will promote red colour and reduce the intensity of greenness in the background colour.
Reductions in fruit phosphorus and calcium due to increased area of bare soil and nitrogen application should be countered by the use of orchard sprays containing phosphorus and calcium respectively.
Safeguard storage potential by routine application of calcium sprays and correct harvest date. Fruit on lightly cropping trees tend to be ready to harvest earlier than those carrying heavier crops. However, fruit from lightly cropping trees are likely to contain more starch and this can give a confusing picture of maturity based on the starch-iodine test. Results obtained with the starch-iodine test on young trees need to be interpreted carefully.