GIBBERELLIC ACID IS A POTENTIAL SWEET CHERRY CROP LOAD MANAGEMENT TOOL

This paper reports on the potential of gibberellic acid (GA₃ and GA₄₊₇) to reduce sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) floral bud induction, promote balanced numbers of fruit with leaves and improve fruit quality in the season following application.
In 2003, we applied GA₃ to ‘Bing’/‘Gisela 1^®’ trees at 30, 50 and 100 mg/L at the end of stage I (of fruit development), end of stage II and on both dates.
Fruit quality was evaluated in the year of application (the non-target crop) and return bloom, fruit yield and quality were assessed in the subsequent season (the target crop). In 2003, all treated fruit were delayed in maturity.
In 2004, bloom density and fruit yield were related negatively and linearly to GA₃ concentration; 100 mg/L improved fruit weight by 9.6% and soluble solids by 8%. In a separate isomer trial in 2004, GA₃ and GA₄₊₇ were applied to ‘Bing’/‘Gisela^® 1’ trees at 100 and 200 mg/L at the end of both stage I and II. Bloom density in 2005 showed that GA₃ and GA₄₊₇ (200 mg/L) reduced return bloom by 92% and 68%.

V International Cherry Symposium

O.M. Lenahan, M.D. Whiting, D.C. Elfving

Prunus avium, fruit yield, fruit quality, floral bud induction, gibberellins, plant growth regulator

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.795.79