Articles
LOQUAT RESPONSE TO EXPERIMENTAL DEFOLIATION: SHOOT GROWTH, BUD DORMANCY AND FLOWERING
Article number
887_30
Pages
185 – 190
Language
English
Abstract
Postharvest deficit irrigation advances blooming of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.). The key to this bloom advancement is the restrain of shoot growth and earlier summer bud dormancy.
The optimization of deficit irrigation strategies in loquat demands a better knowledge of when the apical meristems commit to flowering (flower induction). With the aim of determining flower induction date, and the role that apical bud dormancy plays in flower transition, we have biweekly defoliated different sets of shoots in Algerie loquat and recorded the plant response.
Two sets of intact shoots and of shoots in which the new leaves were continuously removed were studied for comparison.
The results show that defoliation performed before July always caused the emergence of new leaves.
This vegetative response was reduced on defoliation carried out on mid-July, while defoliation on July 31PP resulted in the prompt appearance of an inflorescence in 30% of the shoots.
This percentage increased up to 65% in mid-August.
The complete defoliation every two weeks enhanced the formation of more leaves per shoot and prevented summer rest.
Complete leaf removal slightly delayed but did not preclude bloom.
These results inform that flowering transition in Algerie occurs around mid-July, when the apical buds of intact shoots were entering in dormancy.
Widespread blooming in completely defoliated shoots that did not enter in summer rest indicates that apical bud dormancy is not needed for flowering transition.
The optimization of deficit irrigation strategies in loquat demands a better knowledge of when the apical meristems commit to flowering (flower induction). With the aim of determining flower induction date, and the role that apical bud dormancy plays in flower transition, we have biweekly defoliated different sets of shoots in Algerie loquat and recorded the plant response.
Two sets of intact shoots and of shoots in which the new leaves were continuously removed were studied for comparison.
The results show that defoliation performed before July always caused the emergence of new leaves.
This vegetative response was reduced on defoliation carried out on mid-July, while defoliation on July 31PP resulted in the prompt appearance of an inflorescence in 30% of the shoots.
This percentage increased up to 65% in mid-August.
The complete defoliation every two weeks enhanced the formation of more leaves per shoot and prevented summer rest.
Complete leaf removal slightly delayed but did not preclude bloom.
These results inform that flowering transition in Algerie occurs around mid-July, when the apical buds of intact shoots were entering in dormancy.
Widespread blooming in completely defoliated shoots that did not enter in summer rest indicates that apical bud dormancy is not needed for flowering transition.
Publication
Authors
J. Cuevas, L. Del Grosso
Keywords
Eriobotrya japonica, flower induction, bud dormancy, shoot growth
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