Articles
Minimization of stem-end splitting in ‘Gala’ apples with aminoethoxyvinylglycine and GA4+7
Article number
1449_14
Pages
103 – 110
Language
English
Abstract
Stem-end splitting (SES) is a widespread, physical defect that can affect multiple commercially important apple cultivars.
Incidence of SES is variable across years and can be influenced by environmental factors, genetics, and management decisions.
We investigated the effects and interactions of exogenous applications of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and GA4+7 on SES incidence and fruit quality.
A two-year experiment was conducted in a mature ‘Banning Gala’ orchard at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, NC, USA. Trees were 0.9×4.0 m spacing, trained to tall spindle, and received plant protectant sprays that adhered to local recommendations throughout the growing season.
Starting at 5 weeks before anticipated harvest, three applications of AVG (0, 33, 44, and 66 mg L‑1) and GA4+7 (0 and 50 mg L‑1) were applied in an aqueous solution with 0.05% (v/v) organosilicone surfactant.
Treatments were applied to three-tree plots using a CO2 sprayer calibrated to apply 935 L ha-1. Plots were sampled over a 5-week period to quantify SES incidence and fruit quality.
The experiment had a completely randomized design and a 4×2 factorial treatment structure with five replications.
Main effects and interactions were determined via analysis of variance.
Regression analysis was conducted where appropriate.
In both years, as AVG concentration increased, SES was reduced, and fruit maturity was delayed.
However, the effect of GA4+7 and the interaction between AVG and GA4+7 was not significant across all measured responses.
Multiple applications of AVG at relatively low concentrations were effective in reducing SES. Additional research is warranted to determine if plant growth regulator applications or other inputs can reduce internal ring cracking, which precedes SES.
Incidence of SES is variable across years and can be influenced by environmental factors, genetics, and management decisions.
We investigated the effects and interactions of exogenous applications of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and GA4+7 on SES incidence and fruit quality.
A two-year experiment was conducted in a mature ‘Banning Gala’ orchard at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, NC, USA. Trees were 0.9×4.0 m spacing, trained to tall spindle, and received plant protectant sprays that adhered to local recommendations throughout the growing season.
Starting at 5 weeks before anticipated harvest, three applications of AVG (0, 33, 44, and 66 mg L‑1) and GA4+7 (0 and 50 mg L‑1) were applied in an aqueous solution with 0.05% (v/v) organosilicone surfactant.
Treatments were applied to three-tree plots using a CO2 sprayer calibrated to apply 935 L ha-1. Plots were sampled over a 5-week period to quantify SES incidence and fruit quality.
The experiment had a completely randomized design and a 4×2 factorial treatment structure with five replications.
Main effects and interactions were determined via analysis of variance.
Regression analysis was conducted where appropriate.
In both years, as AVG concentration increased, SES was reduced, and fruit maturity was delayed.
However, the effect of GA4+7 and the interaction between AVG and GA4+7 was not significant across all measured responses.
Multiple applications of AVG at relatively low concentrations were effective in reducing SES. Additional research is warranted to determine if plant growth regulator applications or other inputs can reduce internal ring cracking, which precedes SES.
Publication
Authors
T.M. Kon, C.D. Clavet
Keywords
ethylene inhibitor, fruit cracking, fruit quality, gibberellin, Malus × domestica, plant growth regulator
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