Seed number and calcium concentrations of 'Braeburn' apple fruit

The effects of high and low pollen availability on seed number and calcium content of 'Braeburn' apples have been investigated. Fruit were picked from trees either with or without a nearby pollen source, or from trees without a nearby pollen source but which had been hand-pollinated. With increasing distance from pollinizer trees fruit had lower seed numbers, increased misshapenness, lower calcium concentrations and increased incidence of bitter pit and lenticel blotch. Hand-pollination resulted in fruit with characteristics similar to those with a nearby pollen source. Lower seed numbers and greater misshapenness of fruit were associated with early flowering, inner zones of the tree. Low calcium contents were associated with low seed numbers, but only in relation to pollinizer treatments and trees. The results suggest that there is a general affect of poor pollination resulting in low seed number and low calcium content in cv. Braeburn.