Articles
VEGETATIVE GROWTH, CROPPING AND WINTER HARDINESS OF SELECTED RASPBERRY CULTIVARS AS AFFECTED BY PROCA
Article number
838_16
Pages
99 – 102
Language
English
Abstract
To increase harvest index of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) plants, there is a need to establish an appropriate balance between vegetative and generative growth.
Therefore, the effect of single and repeated prohexadione-calcium (ProCa) treatments on vegetative growth and crop potential of the raspberry cultivars Glen Ample and Tulameen was studied.
Furthermore, the effect of two or three ProCa treatments on winter hardiness of raspberry cultivars Ottawa and Muskoka was studied.
Repeated ProCa applications were necessary to control growth of raspberry canes, as growth resumed already three to four weeks after the first application.
The response was cultivar-dependent.
Growth reduction was mainly due to shortening of the internodes.
In cv. Glen Ample, repeated ProCa applications reduced number of flower buds and slightly delayed flowering.
However, the total number of flowers per cane was not affected.
In spite of reduced vegetative growth, advanced terminal bud set, and slightly increased carbohydrate concentrations in buds, ProCa treatments did not improve winter hardiness of raspberry plants.
In conclusion, ProCa proved promising for growth control of biennial raspberry cultivars, as it reduced vegetative growth without affecting crop potential.
However, further research is needed to optimize the timing of ProCa applications.
Therefore, the effect of single and repeated prohexadione-calcium (ProCa) treatments on vegetative growth and crop potential of the raspberry cultivars Glen Ample and Tulameen was studied.
Furthermore, the effect of two or three ProCa treatments on winter hardiness of raspberry cultivars Ottawa and Muskoka was studied.
Repeated ProCa applications were necessary to control growth of raspberry canes, as growth resumed already three to four weeks after the first application.
The response was cultivar-dependent.
Growth reduction was mainly due to shortening of the internodes.
In cv. Glen Ample, repeated ProCa applications reduced number of flower buds and slightly delayed flowering.
However, the total number of flowers per cane was not affected.
In spite of reduced vegetative growth, advanced terminal bud set, and slightly increased carbohydrate concentrations in buds, ProCa treatments did not improve winter hardiness of raspberry plants.
In conclusion, ProCa proved promising for growth control of biennial raspberry cultivars, as it reduced vegetative growth without affecting crop potential.
However, further research is needed to optimize the timing of ProCa applications.
Authors
P. Palonen, E. Pehkonen, M. Rantanen
Keywords
crop potential, LT50, prohexadione-calcium, Rubus idaeus
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