|
|
|
| Authors: | R.A. Stern, R. Ben-Arie |
| Keywords: | apple, Malus domestica, synthetic auxin, fruit drop |
Abstract:
The main apple cultivar grown in Israel, ‘Delicious’, and a minor cultivar, ‘Jonathan’, are prone to massive pre-harvest drop.
Spraying both cultivars with the synthetic auxin 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl-oxyacetic acid (3,5,6-TPA) reduced pre-harvest fruit drop and increased yield.
Application of 40 mg L-1 3,5,6-TPA, two weeks before anticipated harvest (WBH) or 30 mg L-1 3,5,6-TPA at four and two WBH showed the best results, and were as effective as 2,4,5-TP, which was the commercial product commonly in use until withdrawn.
There were no negative effects on fruit quality at harvest or during 9 months’ storage.
Therefore, 3,5,6-TPA can be recom¬mended for routine use on ‘Delicious’ and ‘Jonathan’ apples.
|
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) |
|