Review on crop load management in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.)

Apples grown often produce more fruit, but they are characterised by heavy bloom and fruit set, which results in undersized, poorly coloured, and low-quality apples. The optimal crop load, which is a quantitative measure, results in a steady annual yield and marketable fruit. Winter pruning technique, chemical thinning, hand thinning, mechanical thinning, and artificial spur extinction (ASE) are several crop load management techniques that all work together to improve return bloom and boost high-quality fruit production in apple, especially in high-density plantations. An overview of current studies to regulate apple crop load via apple-producing regions is provided in the article. In high-density apple orchards, this will help in determining the best crop load management strategies.