FRUITING PERFORMANCE OF KIWIFRUIT CV HAYWARD AFFECTED BY USE OF CYANAMIDE

Trials were carried out over four years at two ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit orchards, one in north-eastern Italy and the other in southern Italy, to test the effectiveness of Cyanamide (Dormex) as related to concentration (4, 5 and 6 % active ingredient) and time of application (45 and 30 day before the expected bud-break time).

Dormex applications had different effects in the two growing areas.
In the northern area, Dormex caused severe phytotoxicity when applied close to bud-break and never improved bud-break or bud fertility.
As a consequence, yields/vine were significantly lower than those of control vines.

In contrast, in the southern area, Dormex increased yields and tended to increase average fruit weight and to increase the percentage of marketable fruits.
Favorable results were related to both Dormex concentration and time of application, with the latter being the more important.
When Dormex was applied too close to bud-break severe phytotoxicity occurred and bud-break was reduced

III International Symposium on Kiwifruit

G. Costa, G. Vizzotto, O. Lain

Actinidia deliciosa, Dormex, chilling unit, bud-break, dormancy breaking agent

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.444.72