ALTERNATE BEARING Meaning and
Definition
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Alternate bearing is a phenomenon seen in certain plants, particularly fruit trees, where they bear a significant crop of fruits in one year, called the "on-year," followed by a lighter or no crop in the subsequent year, known as the "off-year." This irregular pattern of fruit production is often observed in species such as apples, pears, cherries, citrus, and several other woody perennials.
The alternating pattern of heavy and light fruit production is believed to be a natural mechanism that plants adopt to conserve energy and resources. During the on-year, the tree invests a substantial amount of energy into flower and fruit development, leading to a bountiful harvest. However, this intense reproductive effort can often exhaust the tree, leading to a reduced or skipped fruit production in the following year.
Alternate bearing is influenced by various factors, including climate conditions, tree age, genetics, nutrition, and environmental stress. Extreme weather events, such as late frosts or drought, as well as inadequate pollination, can exacerbate the alternation pattern. Additionally, some fruit tree cultivars are more susceptible to alternate bearing tendencies than others.
Farmers and orchardists often employ different strategies to manage alternate bearing, such as thinning fruit in the on-year to balance the tree's resources and stabilize yields. The goal is to promote a more consistent and economically viable crop yield instead of experiencing erratic fluctuations in fruit production from one year to another.
Common Misspellings for ALTERNATE BEARING
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Etymology of ALTERNATE BEARING
The term "alternate bearing" is a compound of two words: "alternate" and "bearing".
1. "Alternate" comes from the Latin word "alternatus", which is the past participle of "alternare", meaning "to do by turns" or "to alternate". It is derived from the root "alter", which means "other" or "second". "Alternate" came into English in the mid-16th century, referring to something that occurs by turns or in succession.
2. "Bearing" in this context refers to the production or yield of fruits or crops. It comes from the Old English word "beran", meaning "to carry" or "to produce". The word originated from the Proto-Germanic root "beranan" and has been in use since Old English times.
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