METHOD AND RESULTS OF THE "BAVENDORF APPLE FORECAST MODEL", AS INTRODUCED 1987 IN SANTA CATARINA (BRAZIL).

• the yield capacity of the observed growing unit (tree, orchard, area)
• the fruitset density of this growing unit in the given year
• the average fruit weight at picking date.

In January 1987, the system has been introduced by the author and applied for the first time in Santa Catarina (Brazil) as a cooperation of EMPASC and ACARESC.

The calculated results of forecast show a total apple production of about 135 000 t in 1987 with a yearly increasing rate due to newplantings coming into production of about 25 000 t.