Loquat fruit size is increased through the thinning effect of naphthaleneacetic acid

The thinning effect of naphthaleneaceticacid was examined in loquat trees (Eriobotryajaponica Lindl.). The effect depended on theconcentration applied and on the treatment date. Themost effective treatment found to thin fruit andincrease the average fruit size was the application of20 mg l−1 of naphthaleneacetic acid 10–15 daysafter anthesis. Treatment reduced the fruit resistanceto puncturing and improved total soluble solidsconcentration and coloration and, consequently,harvest time was markedly advanced.