ISHS Acta Horticulturae 329: VII International Symposium on Plant Growth Regulators in Fruit Production
INCREASING CITRUS FRUIT SIZE USING AUXINS AND POTASSIUM. |
| Authors: | Y. Erner, Y. Kaplan, B. Artzi, M. Hamou |
| Abstract:
The large-size fruit demanded by the consumers, has become a major problem of fresh fruit for export and local consumption. We found that spraying with 20 ppm 2,4-D + 5% KNO3 can increase fruit size by 8–20% for 'Shamouti' and 8–25% for 'Valencia' oranges over the control. Best time of application was found to be at the end of May or beginning of June, 6–8 weeks after flowering. KNO3 increased the juice acid level, so that the substitution of 2,4-D for the potassium might increase fruit size without effect on the acid. The application of 2,4-D + KNO3 as one spray was always better than as one, two or three applications in 'Shamouti' orange, while, in some experiments, 'Valencia' gave a higher increment by triple application of 2,4-D. The formula of 2,4-D plus KNO3 is recommended for most varieties except for early-harvest types when high acidity might be a limiting factor. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
