VALIDATION OF PC-REDAPOL - FRUIT-SET PREDICTION MODEL FOR APPLES

The personal computer version of the REDAPOL apple fruit set predictio n model has been validated in Arizona and Washington orchards. The PC- REDAPOL computer simulation model is designed to predict the percentag e of blossoms setting fruit on apple trees. PC-REDAPOL predictions wer e within the 95% CI of the actual average percentage of blossoms setti ng fruit in 16 out of 23 model validation tests. The model also accura tely predicted fruit set on limbs where honey bee, Apis mellifera L., visitation and pollination were stopped at different points during blo om. PC-REDAPOL has all the features of the original REDAPOL model, plu s additions such as the ability to update estimates of the honey bee f oraging population on apple trees during a simulation, pest management information, and a degree-day calculator. The program runs on IBM com patible personal computers and is available on request.