GIBBERELLIC ACID FOR CONTROLLING FRUIT PRODUCTION OF PEARS

The ability of gibberellic acid to promote the fruit set of frost-damaged pear blossom, to produce a satisfactory crop of parthenocarpic fruits, was established more than ten years ago.
Since then, studies have been directed towards increasing yields and improving quality of other low-bearing pear trees.
While parthenocarpic fruiting can be induced in all cultivars, undesirable side effects may arise, notably inhibition of fruit buds, increased June drop and malformation of the fruits of certain cultivars.
Ways in which these may be reduced or eliminated have been examined.
A clearer knowledge has been gained of the ways in which gibberellins function in the growth of the pear tree and the development of its fruits, providing opportunities for the prevention of June drop and the control of biennial bearing.
By a combination of gibberellin sprays with those of suitable growth inhibitors a close control of the flowering and fruiting patterns of the tree is theoretically possible.

Symposium on growth Regulators in Fruit Production

J.N. Turner

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1973.34.40