ISHS Acta Horticulturae 701: XII International Symposium on Apricot Culture and Decline
THE EFFECT OF GA, RETAINŽ AND CALCIUM ON FRUIT FIRMNESS IN APRICOT |
| Authors: | S.M. Southwick, K. Glozer, J.T. Yeager |
| Keywords: | Prunus armeniaca, gibberellin, plant growth regulation, plant growth regulators, aminoethoxyvinylglycine |
| Abstract:
Techniques to improve fruit firmness and quality in apricot would enhance marketability. We have evaluated foliar sprays of calcium (Ca; calcium and ammonium salts of carboxylic acid complexes: CA [ooc-(CHOH)n-coo] n=3,4; (NH4)2 [ooc-(CHOH)n-coo] n=3,4; NutricalŽ, CSI-Nutri-Cal, Bondurant, Iowa, USA), and the ethylene biosynthesis-inhibitor, ReTainŽ, (AVG, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, Valent Corp., Libertyville, Illinois, USA), to determine effects on apricot fruit firmness and maturity. ReTainŽ applied from about 1 to 3 weeks before harvest at 124 g a.i.ha improved firmness by 1 to 7 N. Multiple sprays of NutricalŽ applied from ~2 to 4 weeks after full bloom at regular intervals through the season improved firmness, but inconsistently with regard to cultivar and season. NutricalŽappeared to advance fruit maturity (color, soluble solids and size). The most consistent results we have had to-date for improvement in fruit firmness (by 10 to 25 N) have been with RalexŽ (gibberellin A3; 50, 100 gL-1, Valent Corp., Libertyville, Illinois, USA), but both ReTainŽ and NutricalŽ show efficacy and further research is warranted to maximize and validate the potential of these chemical sprays. | |
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