OXIDATIVE PROCESSES IN BUD DORMANCY AND THE USE OF HYDROGEN CYANAMIDE IN BREAKING DORMANCY

Cyanamide (H₂CN₂) was found to be a useful dormancy breaking agent in warm regions.
Sprays of 1–5% commercial cyanamide ("Liquid Cyanamide", SKW, Trostberg, W. Germany) induced early, uniform and full bud break in almond, apple, actinidia, fig, grapevine, peach, persimmon and plum.

Treatments of 1% pure H₂CN₂ induced germination of grapevine seeds, and replaced chilling requirements.

In grapevine buds application of H₂CN₂ resulted in a reduction of catalase activity, while peroxidase activity was generally unchanged.
Chilling of potted grapevine plants to 4°C, which induced sprouting, also induced a marked reduction of catalase activity in the buds without affecting peroxidase activity.

It is suggested that H₂CN₂ or chilling is involved in breaking dormancy by reducing catalase activity.

V International Symposium on Growth Regulators in Fruit Production

Y. Shulman, G. Nir, S. Lavee

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.179.11