Changing paradigms
We’re shifting boundaries. Again.
For years, fruit scanning has been a trusted tool in kiwifruit orchards across New Zealand and beyond.
Growers use it to gain valuable insights into relative performance within blocks—spotting differences in floral variability and crop load that help inform bud and fruit thinning decisions. It’s a practical, data-driven way to manage the season’s workload and aim for optimal fruit size and quality.
At Revive Soil Solutions, we’re excited to take this established practice one significant step further.
We can now transform your fruit scan data into variable rate prescription maps. These maps allow targeted, site-specific nutrient applications that match each area’s actual productive capacity—no more blanket applications across the entire block.
Why This Matters: Tackling Alternate Bearing and Uneven Loads
Excessive fruit loads in one season often set the stage for alternate bearing—the frustrating cycle where heavy crops are followed by lighter ones. This happens because overloaded vines deplete carbohydrate reserves and compromise flower bud initiation for the following year.
By leveraging fruit scan data to pinpoint variability in crop load, we can apply variable rate fertiliser precisely where it’s needed most. Areas with higher crop loads get the extra nutrition to support fruit development and reserve building, while lower-load zones avoid over-fertilisation that could push excessive vegetative growth.
The expected outcomes?
More balanced crop loads across the block
Stronger return bloom the following season
More stable, consistent production year after year
Precision meets practicality—delivering healthier vines, better resource use, and more predictable yields without relying on guesswork.
The Bigger Picture
Fruit scanning data is already freely available to many growers. Turning that raw information into actionable, targeted recommendations isn’t just an incremental improvement—it’s a game-changer for the kiwifruit industry.
It empowers growers to move from uniform management to truly site-specific care, reducing waste, improving vine health, and building resilience against biennial bearing swings.
If you’re already using fruit scanning in your kiwifruit blocks, or exploring variable rate applications, we’d love to hear your experiences. Drop a comment below or reach out—we’re here to help take your orchard to the next level.
