Articles
THE EFFECT OF DODECYL ETHER OF POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL ON COLD RESISTANCE OF APPLE AND PEAR TREES
Article number
81_20
Pages
144 – 144
Language
Abstract
Spray applications of 0.5% dodecyl ether of polyethylene glycol /DEPG/ were applied to two cultivars of "Delicious" apple, two cultivars of "Golden Delicious" apple, Beurre d’Anjou pear and Williams /Bartlett/ pear.
Cold resistance was increased approximately 5°C in the bark through the winter on trees of all varieties treated with DEPG compared to the non-treated trees.
Beurre d’Anjou was an exception; these trees had the same cold resistance for both treated and non-treated.
Applications of DEPG were not effective before August 20. However, the material had to be applied while the leaves were still active in the fall.
Cold resistance was increased approximately 5°C in the bark through the winter on trees of all varieties treated with DEPG compared to the non-treated trees.
Beurre d’Anjou was an exception; these trees had the same cold resistance for both treated and non-treated.
Applications of DEPG were not effective before August 20. However, the material had to be applied while the leaves were still active in the fall.
The fall DEPG treated trees of all varieties had fewer blossoms killed in a natural frost /-6°C/ than the non-treated trees.
The least difference was observed on "Golden Delicious"; treated trees had 10% blossoms killed and non-treated trees had 15% of blossoms killed.
Beurre d’Anjou had the most difference, 15% of the blossoms were killed on treated trees and 94% of the blossoms were killed on non-treated trees.
Concentrations of DEPG above 1% were phytotoxic to leaves, fruit buds and bark.
The mechanism of the material is unknown but most likely works as a cryoprotectant and does not enter into the metabolism of the plant.
Publication
Authors
D.O. Ketchie
Keywords
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