TRIAZOLE BIOREGULATORS REDUCE INTERNODE LENGTH AND INCREASE BRANCH ANGLE OF CITRUS *

Paclobutrazol and XE1019 (uniconazole), gibberellin inhibitors, reduced internode length and increased branch angle of citrus seedlings and mature trees.
In seedling studies, responses to a soil drench or foliar spray persisted for a year during 4 growth cycles.
For mature trees, foliar sprays and trunk banding reduced internode length of the 1st (spring) growth flush.
Internode length of the 2nd (summer) and subsequent growth flushes was not affected, but branch angle was increased.
The resultant drooping growth habit was more important in reducing tree size than shortened internodes and the effects persisted for 2 years.
No effects on yield, fruit quality, or cold hardiness were observed.

VI International Symposium on Growth Regulators in Fruit Production

T.A. Wheaton

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.239.41