ISHS Acta Horticulturae 559: V International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Current Trends for Suistainable Technologies
SPROUT INHIBITION IN PEPINO (SOLANUM MURICATUM AIT.) CULTIVATED IN GREENHOUSE |
| Authors: | J.V. Maroto, S. López-Galarza, A. San Bautista, J.L. Fresquet, C. Baixauli |
| Keywords: | pruning, lateral shoots, pendimethalin, maleic hydrazide, production techniques |
| Abstract:
For three growing seasons, we evaluated the effects of certain chemical substances on sprout inhibition. The substances used were ‘Podasint’ (60% asphalt bitumen + 20% coal tar), a low toxic healing agent used in woody crops to protect pruning scars, and two plant growth regulators, pendimethalin and maleic hydrazide, widely used as suckericides in tobacco plants. The results were compared with manual removal of lateral shoots. The study was carried out using plants of three Chilean pepino clones (SE22, CH3 and CH8). Chemical substances were brushed several times onto leaf axils once lateral shoots had been removed. Maleic hydrazide was only applied during the first season. Although it clearly affected sprout inhibition, it also had phytotoxic effects, affecting tip growth and reducing fruit yields. Pendimethalin and ‘Podasint’ had a good effect on sprout inhibition, and treated plants showed significant differences compared to the controls. Differences between treatments were significant, and phytotoxic effects and yield reduction were not recorded. Neither fruit firmness nor soluble solid content were affected, but in some experiments a minor reduction in fruit weight was detected, mainly in pendimethalin treated plants compared to controls. Yield and fruit quality differences were detected between clones. Clone CH8 plants produced the highest yields and fruit weight. Clone CH3 fruits had the highest soluble solids content. From the results, we conclude that ‘Podasint’ application on leaf axils could be an alternative to manual pruning of lateral shoots in pepino plants. | |
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