Rain during the flowering period of apples reduces the potential for effective pollination and fruit set.
- Firstly, the rain inhibits the foraging activities of all bee species and thus reduces pollen transfer.
- Secondly, rain inhibits the germination and growth of pollen on the stigma and results in pollen death.
Use of chemical sprays designed to provide some protection from frost and winds
For many years, scientists have sought to identify products that, when applied to trees, improved the resistance of their flowers to frost damage.
- These are sometimes known as cryoprotectants.
- Products that increase the concentration of dissolved salts of the cell sap, or that provide some physical type of protection to the cell, or that prevent cell damage following frosts, may have some benefit, however the results from these types of materials has been inconsistent.