CHEMICAL CONTROL OF VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF POME AND STONE FRUIT TREES WITH GA BIOSYNTHESIS INHIBITORS

Gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis inhibitors are effective in controlling shoot growth of deciduous fruit trees.
We have tested several methods of chemical application.
A mid- or lower-trunk spray or paint, or soil injection in a continuous narrow band on both sides of a hedgerow planting are satisfactory methods of application.
Less than 1.0 g of active ingredient applied to a sweet cherry, peach, nectarine or plum tree as a soil or drip irrigation application is sufficient to control vegetative shoot growth of a tree with a 15.0-cm diameter trunk for 2 seasons.
When dissolved in a nonphytotoxic organic solvent and applied to the mid- or basal-trunk, the amount of chemical required to control shoot growth of a central leader trained peach or nectarine tree is about 0.25 g or less per tree.
Pome fruit trees are less responsive than stone fruit trees and require more chemical.
On pome fruit trees high rates of chemical cause undesirable reduction of fruit L/D ratios, pedicel length and leaf size.

V International Symposium on Growth Regulators in Fruit Production

Max W. Williams, Eric A. Curry, George M. Greene

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.179.70