ISHS Acta Horticulturae 239: VI International Symposium on Growth Regulators in Fruit Production
REDUCING LOW TEMPERATURE INJURY TO PEACH FLOWER BUDS WITH ETHEPHON |
| Authors: | T.J. Gianfagna, E.F. Durner, G.S. Teiger |
| Abstract:
A fall application of ethephon to peach delayed flowering in the spring, and increased flower bud resistance to low temperature injury during the winter dormant period. In 1986, flowering was delayed 5 days with ethephon. Orchard temperatures dropped to -3.3°C during the period of bud expansion, resulting in a loss of 34% of the buds. Bud mortality was only 8% for the ethephon treatments. In 1987, orchard temperatures dropped to -23°C in mid-winter. Bud survival was approximately 10%; however 30–40% of the buds treated with ethephon remained viable. In both years, there was a significant increase in fruit yield for the ethephon treatments, presumably due to the ability of these buds to withstand low temperature stress. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
