EFFECT OF HYDROGEN CYANAMIDE ON JAPANESE PLUMS IN THE REGION OF NUEVO COLON, BOYACA

Between the years 1988 and 1990 tests were run at the INCORA station of Nuevo Colon, Colombia (2 440 m above M.S.L., av. temp. 14°C, 900 mm/year precipitation) with applications of hydrogen cyanamide (H.C.) (DORMEX^R) in japanese plums (Prunus salicina Lindl.). The first experiment on varieties ‘Methley’, ‘Horvin’, ‘Santa Rosa’ and ‘Sangretoro’ with 1% H.C. on August 3^th of 1988 achieved a two week advance both in flowering and in cropping and increased yields.

Another application on February 2^nd of 1990 on varieties ‘Ogden’ and ‘Reina Claudia’, one month after harvest, with 1% and 0.5% H.C. produced good flowering but unfavorable climate conditions (wind and hail) caused great flower abscission.
The percentage of flowering on trees that received 1% H.C. was higher, 65% and 54% in ‘Ogden’ and ‘Reina Claudia’ with reference to the untreated trees (7 and 10% flowering) and for fruit set 11 and 8% respectively (with no fruits in untreated trees and with 0.5% H.C.).

The authors conclude that the Nuevo Colon region with only one rainy season is appropriate for advanced and increased harvests in japanese plums with the use of H.C. The zone is not feasable to obtain two crops per year because the second crop would occur during the rains.

International Symposium on Fruit Growing in Tropical Highlands

M. Buitrago, G. Fischer, T. Campos

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.310.11