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The situation is one of uncertainty. While it appears that EPA has at 

 least temporarily withdrawn from its proposal to cancel food use of Alar*, 

 intense scrutiny will be given to further data. Futhermore, actions by the 

 Departments of Health, either unilaterally or in unison, could occur at any 

 time. Such action could iiddress the general use of Alar*, or it could 

 involve restrictions on use of Alar*-t reated fruit for processing. 

 Regardless of official actions, the focus of public attention (often by 

 flagrantly inaccurate statements) has put a great deal of pressure on local 

 apple growers to restrict or to cease the use of Alar*. 



WHY IS ALAR* USED? 



Alar* is a plant growth regulator with a variety of effects on differ- 

 ent plants. On apples it is us 3d for two different purposes: (a) to 

 control vegetative growth and en lance flower bud formation; and (b) to 

 control fruit drop and delay fruit ripening. 



For vegetative growth control, 1.5 pounds of Alar* per 100 gallons of 

 water applied at a rate of 300 gallons per acre (i.e., '♦.S pounds of Alar* 

 per acre) are recommended for use 10 to 12 days after petal fall. For drop 

 control and delay of ripening 0.75 to 1.0 pound per 100 gallons of water 

 applied at 300 gallons per acre (i.e., 2.25 to 3 pounds of Alar* per acre) 

 are recommended for use 60 to 70 days before harvest. Currently, a 

 tolerance of 30 ppm is permitted in apples. The lower the concentration 

 used and the longer the period between application and harvest, the lower 

 will be the residue in the fruit. Studies have shown an average of four to 

 six ppm in fresh apples, far below the established tolerance. 



WHAT ARE ALAR'S* EFFECTS ON APPLES? 



News reports have often grossly misstated the effects of Alar* on 

 apples. We shall attempt here to evaluate its effects on Northeastern 

 apples, to provide a sound basis for looking to the future. 



As a suppressant of vegetative growth. Alar* has a variety of uses. It 

 can be used on mature trees to suppress regrowth following severe pruning. 

 In orchards with overcrowding of trees. Alar* can be used as a suppletrent to 

 pruning. In over-vigorous orchards it can be used to suppress growth until 

 the source of excess vigor is brought under control. It can be used to 

 control vegetative growth in light crop years, e.g. following frost. It can 

 be used to enhance flower bud formation on alternate bearing varieties. 

 Thus, it is a valuable management tool in established orchards. It can also 

 be used with great benefit on non-bearing trees to suppress vegetation and 

 encourage early bloom and thus bring an orchard into bearing sooner. 



in suppressing vegetative growth. Alar* has some important indirect 

 effects. It can increase light penetration into the tree canopy, thereby 

 improving fruit color and quality. It also reduces the competition between 

 vegetation and fruit for calcium resulting in higher fruit calcium concen- 

 trations. This can significantly reduce bitter pit occurrence, and can 

 reduce development of senescent breakdown and other disorders after storage. 



