ISHS Acta Horticulturae 80: Symposium on Growth Regulators in Fruit Production
THE USE OF GROWTH REGULATORS FOR SHAPING YOUNG FRUIT TREES |
| Author: | J.D. Quinlan |
| Abstract:
One-year-old trees which are well-branched when planted in the orchard grow better during the early years and produce heavier crops sooner than do trees established from poorly-branched or non-branched trees. Chemical methods of branch induction are reviewed. In freely-branching cultivars the first-formed branches above the graft union adversely affect subsequent branching and growth in the upper part of the tree. Treatment of these low branches with a non-translocated growth retardant, stimulates the production and growth of upper branches. Use of chemical branching agents to induce branching in young apple trees in the orchard can replace hand pruning in the early years and increase both the number of flower clusters and the size of early crops compared with those produced by conventionally hand-pruned trees. | |
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