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ReTain® plant growth regulator contains aminoethoxyvinylglycine (HCL), a naturally occurring substance that temporarily inhibits ethylene production. Ethylene affects plant processes such as fruit set, maturation, ripening, and abscission. By inhibiting the production of ethylene in developing fruit, the entire maturing process is slowed.

Functions: Plant Growth Regulator (PGR)

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Identification & Functionality

Agrochemical Functions
Technologies

Features & Benefits

Agrochemicals Features
Product Highlight
  • ReTain is the premier harvest management tool on the market, extending harvest time and allowing growers to harvest with fewer pickers, while the fruit matures to optimal size, color, and condition. Applying ReTain four weeks before apple or pear harvest provides maximum protection against accelerated fruit drop, especially valuable when unfavorable weather such as high wind, excessive heat, or drought occurs prior to harvest. Slowing drop also allows apples to reach their maximum size. Additionally, ReTain reduces watercore and stem bowl cracking, ensuring improved packout and fruit quality.  ReTain slows the maturation process, helping more fruit to have optimum quality going into and coming out of storage.
  • ReTain affects different cultivars, often raised under different growing conditions, in slightly varied ways. Valent BioSciences Corporation offers detailed production guidelines for ReTain use for each crop type and situation.
  • In walnuts, ReTain blocks the production of ethylene as well. That’s helpful because ethylene causes Pistillate Flower Abscission (PFA) during bloom – a condition that can lead to reduced fruit set and low yields. ReTain consistently increases yield in walnut orchards that suffer from low nut set due to PFA.
  • In stone fruit, ReTain applied a few weeks prior to harvest can improve harvest management by allowing peaches and nectarines to develop excellent flavor without becoming soft and dropping prematurely. Slowing drop also allows stone fruit to continue to increase in size. In varieties prone to soft tip, ReTain applied two weeks prior to harvest can help reduce the condition.
Benefits

When you apply ReTain® four weeks before harvest, your apple crop benefits in several ways:
•     More flexible harvest management
•     Reduced fruit drop
•     Maximized fruit size
•     Improved fruit quality and color
•     Reduced physiological defects
•     Improved post-harvest value

Applications & Uses

Applicable Crop
ReTain® Use Recommendations

Refer to the approved ReTain® label for each country for the exact use recommendation (rate, timing, water volume, surfactant use, etc.). ReTain® is used globally on a range of varieties: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Royal Gala, McIntosh, Empire, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp and many others. Consult your local ReTain® representative/ technical advisor for specific information about varieties.

Technical Details & Test Data

Optimize Harvest Management with ReTain®

By extending the harvest time, ReTain® Plant Growth Regulator allows growers to reduce the total number of pickers. For example, by picking the untreated block in one week and the ReTain®-treated block the next week, this grower was able to reduce the number of pickers by nearly half over the same area and was better able to manage operations over this extended harvest period.ReTain® - Optimize Harvest Management With Retain®

Golden Delicious – Storage Potential South Tyrol, Italy

ReTain® Improves Fruit Quality and ColorMaintain Fruit Firmness with ReTain

ReTain® improves fruit quality by maintaining fruit firmness and also enhances storage and market shelf life potential.ReTain® - Golden Delicious – Storage Potential South Tyrol, Italy

Red color at Harvest – Pink Lady Elgin, South Africa

Improve Red Color with ReTain® (Indirect)

ReTain® delays fruit maturation, which allows for longer hanging time and potentially more favorable weather conditions to improve color development.ReTain® - Red Color At Harvest – Pink Lady Elgin, South Africa