ISHS Acta Horticulturae 800: X International Pear Symposium
GIRDLING: SCIENCE BEHIND THE AGE-OLD TECHNIQUE |
| Authors: | K.I. Theron, W.J. Steyn |
| Keywords: | endogenous plant hormones, flower induction, flowering, scoring |
| Abstract:
Even though the practice of girdling or scoring pear trees goes back more than 2000 years, many questions still remain about the physiological reasons for the observed responses. The phenological stage at which the technique is used and the intensity of application (scoring, cincturing, girdling or notching) determines the type of response that is obtained. Amongst the most well known responses are a decrease in shoot growth, an increase in fruit set, an increase in return bloom and an increase in fruit size. A number of hypotheses have been presented, either leaning towards a change in carbohydrate levels or with more emphasis placed on endogenous hormone levels resulting in the response to the treatment. Most of these however, do not distinguish between the different techniques (e.g., girdling vs. scoring), time of application of the technique or whether trees are evergreen or deciduous. | |
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