US approves Valent’s ReTain® PGR with double application

Valent U.S.A. Corporation recently announced that ReTain® Plant Growth Regulator has been registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a new label use that allows pome fruit growers to make a second ReTain application prior to harvest, creating a longer period for optimizing fruit maturity and quality.

ReTain can now be applied at higher rates or up to two applications per acre per season for even better harvest management. Compared to a single application, the double application of ReTain provides growers with greater late-season packout and even more flexibility in managing labor.

Over the past decade, ReTain has become the foundation of a successful harvest management and post-harvest quality program in apples and pears. Now, the product's new use offers the benefit of an even wider harvest window that allows more time for increasing fruit size, while maintaining fruit firmness and maximizing storage potential until the fruit reaches the consumer.

"Certain apple varieties, such as McIntosh or Honeycrisp, are prone to pre-harvest drop," said Kevin Forney, product development manager for Valent. "The new double application of ReTain keeps the fruit on the tree longer, allowing growers to better manage their labor force and maximize the amount of fruit picked at optimum maturity."

ReTain is designed for use with standard orchard spray equipment and is effective across a wide application window prior to row filling and bin placement.