DEFOLIATION AND VEGETATIVE REGROWTH OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA WITH ETHEPHON AND GIBBERELLIC ACID

Author:	Kent D. Kobayashi
Abstract: Effects of ethephon, gibberellic acid (GA₃), and stem maturity on defoliation and shoot regrowth in guava (Psidiumguajava L. 'Beaumont') was investigated. A factorial experiment with 4 levels of ethephon, 3 levels of GA₃, and 2 stem maturity was conducted on potted guava plants. Ethephon, GA₃, and stem maturity had significant effects on percent defoliation. Increasing ethephon concentration increased percent defoliation from 26 to 94%. GA₃ had 79% defoliation compared to 64% without GA₃. Semi-hardwood stem had 80% defoliation, whereas softwood stem had 69% defoliation. There was a significant interaction between ethephon concentration and stem maturity on the number of new lateral shoots (> 1 cm) per initial leaf count. Mean shoot lenght was greatest (10.1 cm) at 600 ppm ethephon.
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