Growth regulator and low-volume irrigation effects on grapefruit quality and fruit-drop

‘Marsh’ (Citrus paradisi Macf.) grapefruit trees on rough lemon (C. jambhiri Lush.) rootstock received irrigated and unirrigated treatments. Half of each irrigation treatment received a GA₃ + 2,4-D spray at color break. Pre-harvest sprays of GA₃ and 2,4-D extended the grapefruit harvest season by increasing fruit removal and rind puncture force, delaying development of mature color and decreasing late-season and post-freeze fruit-drop. Although soil moisture content in the top 0.9 m of unirrigated blocks was reduced by approximately 40%, xylem pressure potentials of these trees and performance of GA₃ + 2,4-D were unaffected. Soil moisture content was not an accurate indicator of tree water status for large grapefruit trees.     

The effects of GA3, CCC and B-9 upon growth,development and organic compounds in Primula obconica

GA₃ induced stem elongation and had no effect on leaf area, whereas CCC and B-9 reduced those characteristics. All 3 growth substances increased leaf formation. GA₃ and CCC accelerated the beginning and duration of blooming, but B-9 exhibited the opposite trend. Inflorescence formation was promoted by CCC and B-9 and decreased by GA₃. Stalk length of inflorescences was elongated only by GA₃ and dwarfed by CCC and B-9. Carbohydrate fractions and content of anthocyanin in flowers were promoted by CCC and B-9.     

The effect of chlormequat chloride (CCC) application at the bolting stage on the flowering and seed production of lettuce plants previously treated with water or gibberellic acid (GA3)

Lettuce plants were sprayed with gibberellin (GA₃) or water at the rosette (8-leaf) stage and subsequently with water or CCC (500 or 1500 ppm) at the onset of bolting. GA₃ induced rapid bolting and increased seed yield, but seed stalks were longer and thinner than those that had been sprayed with water at the same stage. Treatment with CCC (500 ppm) at bolting decreased the flower stalk height of plants that had been sprayed with water at the rosette stage, but not that of GA₃ treated plants. CCC (500 ppm) increased the number of inflorescence branches per plant as well as seed yield in the autumn sown crop, but had no effect on the winter sown crop. When a higher concentration of CCC (1500 ppm) was applied at bolting, flower stalk height decreased, irrespective of whether the plants had been previously treated with GA₃ or not, and seed stalk diameter increased. However, 1500 ppm CCC reduced the number of inflorescence branches per plant and mean seed yield. It is concluded therefore that although the application of 500 ppm CCC at the onset of bolting may increase seed yield in the autumn sown crop, this treatment does not improve the seed stalk strength (e.g. increasing diameter or reducing height) of GA₃ treated plants. On the other hand, whereas a higher concentration of CCC (1500 ppm) improves seed stalk characteristics, it reduces seed yield.     

The influence of gibberellic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine on fruit-set of Clementine mandarin

A study was made of the influences of gibberellic acid (GA₃), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) on leafy inflorescences — and of GA₃ on entire trees — on fruit-set and fruit-weight of Clementine mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco).Applying GA₃ to inflorescences of cultivar ‘Fino’ (seedless Clementine) between anthesis and 14 days after anthesis increased fruit-set and weight of the fruits at harvest. No significant differences in effects were observed between the application to leaves, to flowers or to leaves and flowers simultaneously. GA₃ induced the development of parthenocarpic fruits of cultivar ‘Monreal’ (Clementine with seeds) and a fruit-set similar to that obtained with self-pollination. Spraying GA₃ (5–200 mg/l) to entire trees of cultivar ‘Fino’ increased the number of fruits per tree and decreased the average weight of the fruits. However, the commercial yield per tree increased with the concentration of GA₃ employed.The application of 2,4-D and BA to inflorescences of cultivar ‘Fino’ increased fruit-setting and weight of the fruits, although not as efficiently as GA₃, both the concentration and the time of application being more critical.     

Effect of GA3, CCC defoliation and quantum flux density on growth and flowering in Pelargonium × hortorum

In vegetatively propagated Pelargonium × hortorum plants, formation of axillary shoots and initiation of inflorescences and leaves were promoted by an increase in quantum flux density, whereas application of GA₃ had a negative effect. Application of CCC caused an increase in number of axillary shoots and consequently an increase in number of inflorescences and leaves per plant.Dry weight increase was promoted by an increase in quantum flux density, unaffected by GA₃ treatment, but inhibited by CCC treatment. Moreover, continuous removal of the oldest leaves reduced the number of inflorescences, leaves, axillary shoots and dry weight. The changes in inflorescence and leaf initiation could not be definitely correlated to the changes in dry weight increase.     

Effects of concentration and propagule age on the efficacy of gibberellic acid for breaking dormancy in potato minitubers

Summary

The effects of a post-harvest application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) at various concentrations (0, 10, 25, 50, or 100 mg l^–1) and for different periods of incubation (1, 2, or 3 h) on the breaking of dormancy and on sprouting in potato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Marfona) minitubers of two ages (freshly-harvested or 1 week after harvest) were investigated. Compared with untreated, control minitubers, GA₃-treated minitubers showed a significantly shorter period of dormancy (46 d), especially when the minitubers were treated at all concentrations immediately after harvest (41 d). GA₃ treatment had a greater effect on dormancy in freshly-harvested minitubers than in 1 week-old minitubers, probably because of the reduced uptake of GA₃ solution after skin-set. At lower concentrations of GA₃, the period of dormancy tended to decrease the longer the minitubers were immersed in the GA₃ solution. In contrast, at higher concentrations of GA₃, the duration of immersion only had an effect up to 2 h and any longer immersion was ineffective. The average number of sprouts was not affected by GA₃ concentration, or by the time of incubation, but was significantly higher for freshly-harvested minitubers (1.4) than for 1 week-old minitubers (1.2). The lengths of the sprouts increased with an increase in GA₃ concentration, especially in freshly-harvested minitubers. Consequently, immersing freshly-harvested potato minitubers in a low concentration of GA₃ (up to 25 mg l^–1) for up to 3 h effectively shortened the period of dormancy and led to the formation of sprouts of optimum length.     

Effects of ethephon,GA3 and nutrient elements on sex expression of Chinese chestnut

The effects of ethephon or GA₃ on sex expression of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima BL.) were opposite to the effects of these plant growth regulators on cucumber, pumpkin and Chinese white-flowered gourd. Ethephon at 100–500 mg 1^?1 inhibited the development of female flowers and promoted that of male flowers. GA₃ at 50–500 mg 1^?1 caused a significantly lower number of male inflorescences, but increased the number of female flowers. Urea applications decreased the number of male inflorescences and increased the number of female flowers. For plants grown on phosphorous-deficient soils, fertilizing with superphosphate also increased the number of female flowers. Spraying trees with GA₃, urea or a mixture of both increased the number of female flowers. Therefore, it is proposed that such applications should be employed at the onset of differentiation of flower primordia of Chinese chestnut to increase the ratio of female to male flowers.     

Combinations of GA3 and AVG delay fruit maturation,increase fruit size and improve storage life of `Feicheng' peaches

Summary

Different concentrations of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) and their combinations, applied at two stages of fruit growth, were evaluated for prolonging the marketing season of `Feicheng' peaches. GA<sub>3</sub> applied at the end of pit hardening, or AVG applied two weeks before commercial harvest, inhibited fruit maturation on the tree, delayed harvest and reduced flesh browning after cold storage in a concentration-dependent manner. A synergistic effect was found when both GA<sub>3</sub> and AVG were used, with the combination of 100 or 150.mg l<sup>±1</sup> GA<sub>3</sub>, applied at the end of pit hardening, and 100 mg l<sup>±1</sup> AVG, applied two weeks before harvest giving the best results. These combinations retarded the change in ground colour, loss of firmness, and reduction in acidity by 2±3 weeks. Since harvest was prolonged by 2±3 weeks, soluble solids content (SSC) in fruit increased compared with the control (harvested earlier). Fruit size was significantly greater on treated trees compared with the controls when fruit set was controlled to the same level by hand thinning. After four weeks of storage and 4.d at 208C, 83% of control fruit developed tissue browning, but only 5% of AVG + GA<sub>3</sub>-treated fruit developed browning after six weeks of storage and 4 d at 208C. Thus, the marketing season of `Feicheng' peaches was prolonged by at least four weeks by 100 or 150 mg l^±1 of GA₃ and 100 mg l^±1 of AVG. Fruit treated with 150 mg l^±1 GA₃ plus 100 to 150 mg l^±1 AVG showed similar results but failed to ripen properly after cold storage.     

Improving yield,quality, and shelf life of Thompson seedless grapevine by preharvest foliar applications

Ten-year-old Thompson seedless grape vines were sprayed during 2009 and 2010 growing seasons with putrescine (Put), gibberellic acid (GA₃), ascorbic acid (AA), ethephon (Eth), salicylic acid (SA), cytofex (CPPU) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) at two stages of berry development; pea stage (4–5 mm fruitlet diameter, ∼30–35 days after fruit set) and veraison stage (when approximately 20% of the berries on 50% of the clusters had softened) in order to investigate their influence on yield and postharvest fruit quality characters at commercial harvest day as well as the berry keeping quality. Cluster and berry quality characters as well as vine yield were improved by all sprayed chemicals, especially Put, GA₃, SA, CPPU and CaCl₂. GA₃ increased cluster and berry width, and resulted in better clusters shape. A positive increase in berry firmness was obtained by Put, GA₃, CPPU, SA and CaCl₂ sprays. Berry adherence strength increased and the percentage of unmarketable berries decreased by all sprayed compounds except Eth. Shelf life (keeping quality) was increased by spraying Put, GA₃, SA, CPPU and CaCl₂, as they increased berries firmness and decreased the percentage of unmarketable berries after keeping at ambient temperature for seven days after harvest.     

The response of partly cooled tulips to vacuum infiltration with gibberellins

Partly cooled (5°C) tulip ‘Apeldoorn’ were treated with gibberellins GA₃ and GA_{4 + 7} by vacuùm infiltration, with a view to defining conditions suitable for exploiting the effects of GA on forced tulips (faster flowering, control of stem extension, reduction of floral bud blasting).The first experiment showed that GA₃ and GA_{4 + 7} were equally effective in reducing the glasshouse period following 6 or more weeks cold storage; with less than 6 weeks cold storage, effects were less marked. Stem length at flowering was reduced by GA treatments, particularly by GA₃ and following more than 6 weeks cold storage. However, the vacuum infiltration method used (30 min at 10 torr) resulted in serious flower losses.Next, the effect of GA₃ concentration (up to 1500 mg 1^?1) was studied using vacuum infiltration treatments for 1–15 min at 20–510 torr, which resulted in fewer flower losses. Following 4 weeks cold storage, reducing pressure or increasing GA₃ concentration reduced both glasshouse period and stem length, with no effect of duration of treatment; GA₃ concentration was the only factor affecting flower length, which was increased. Following 8 weeks cold storage, increasing GA₃ concentration, vacuum or duration reduced glasshouse period. With all 3 factors at their maximum levels, 16 days earliness was obtained compared with controls. With maximum earliness, stem length was reduced to about 23 cm, compared to about 26 cm for treatments giving about 1 week's earliness, and 32 cm for untreated controls. Increasing vacuum appeared the most economical way of obtaining earliness, 20 torr giving 7 days earliness even at only 250 mg GA₃ 1^?1. Treatments giving earlier flowering also gave larger flowers. For comparison, there was little effect of soaking bulbs at atmospheric pressure even at 500 mg GA₃ 1^?1 for up to 20 h.Further experiments, conducted with vacuum infiltration at 260 torr for 15 min, confirmed these GA effects using formulated GA₃ (as “Berelex”) and GA_{4 + 7} (as “Regulex”). Effects of GA on stem length at flowering had disappeared by the time stems reached their final length. Comparisons with bulb injection of GA showed that this method required less GA than vacuum infiltration for similar effects, and that the greater effectiveness of GA_{4 + 7} compared with GA₃ was less marked using vacuum infiltration.     

Development of seedless and Mal Secco tolerant mutant lemons through budwood irradiation

Mal secco (caused by Phoma tracheiphila (Petri) Kantsch. and Gik.) is the most destructive fungal disease of lemon plantations worldwide and seedless lemons would be preferred by most consumers. Five dosage levels, 0, 3, 5, 7, and 9 kiloradian (krad), of cobalt (⁶⁰Co) gamma irradiation were applied to budstick of ‘Kutdiken’ lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.) clone KT-2A. Mutations were stabilized in three vegetative generations. Three hundred fifty-eight and 478 M1V3 (mutation one and vegetation three) plants were evaluated for seed number and mal secco tolerance in the field and the greenhouse, respectively. LD₅₀ was around 5 krad gamma irradiation for ‘Kutdiken’ lemon. The seed number varied from 0 to 34 per fruit. The level of mal secco tolerance also varied significantly among the plants from 1.0 (no symptom) to 4.3 (high level of disease occurance). The stable seedless and mal secco tolerant plants were obtained from 5 and 7 krad irradiation: the three mutants from 5 krad irradiation gave more lemon-like fruits, while 7 krad irradiation caused altered tree morphology and early maturation of fruits. This study shows considerable potential for lemon cultivar improvement aiming to obtain seedless and mal secco tolerant lemons.     

The effect of gibberellic acid on lignification and peroxidase activity in dwarf bean

Treatment of dwarf bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with gibberellic acid (GA₃) produced a characteristic stem elongation accompanied by an increase in lignification of meta and secondary xylem and a decrease in peroxidase activity. Increasing concentrations of GA₃ and time after treatment led to increases in stem elongation and lignification, but to a decrease in peroxidase activity.     

Fino lemon clones compared with the lemon varieties Eureka and Lisbon on two rootstocks in Murcia (Spain)

Six clonal selections of the autochthonous Spanish lemon tress cv. Fino, named Fino 46, Fino 47, Fino 48, Fino 49 and Fino 77, and two foreign varieties Eureka and Lisbon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f) grafted on sour orange (C. auramtium L.) and Citrus macrophylla (C. macrophylla Wester) rootstocks were studied in Murcia (Spain). The fruit were harvested for 6 years, and fruit quality and tree size were evaluated after the sixth harvest. Fino 49, Fino 77 and Lisbon trees produced the highest cumulative yield. However, Eureka trees on macrophylla had the highest yield efficiency (cumulative yield/trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA)) due to its small TCSA. There were few differences between Fino group and Lisbon as regards fruit quality; however, Eureka trees on macrophylla produced smaller fruit with a higher concentration of total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable citric acid (TA) than the other varieties. Macrophylla was a better rootstock than sour orange for lemon trees since lemon trees grafted on macrophylla had higher cumulative yield and yield efficiency than those on sour orange. However, sour orange induced the highest TSS and TA in all lemon varieties evaluated.     

Aerial tubers induced in turnip (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa (L.) Hartm.) by gibberellin treatment

We investigated the tuberization ability of the turnip (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa (L.) Hartm.) epicotyl. Epicotyl elongation was forced by continuous gibberellin (GA₃) application to make the epicotyl distinguishable from the fleshy hypocotyl and root. Tubers were induced mainly on the stunted apical parts that formed after cessation of GA₃ application. All of the five cultivars tested included non-tuberized plants and plants with various degrees of tuberization. Tuberization was caused by secondary growth of the xylem. Many long rows of vessels were arranged radially on the cross-section of the tuber. These histological characteristics are the same as those of the fleshy hypocotyl and root. Tuberization was very likely a genetic trait, because tuberous and non-tuberous lines were clearly distinguishable in the S₂ generation. These results suggest that B. rapa has potential for tuberization ability similar to that of kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea L. var. gongylodes L.) and swollen-stem mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. et Coss. var. tumida Tsen et Lee).     

The influence of wax emulsion,morphactin and gibberellic acid on the storage behaviour of indian gooseberry fruits

Qualities of Indian gooseberry fruits (Phyllanthus emblica L.) were determined after dip-treatment with wax emulsion (WE) with or without morphactin (Mor) and gibberellic acid (GA₃). Dip-treatments with 100–500 mg l^?1 Mor reduced marketability by inducing browning and high weight loss, but loss in ascorbic acid was checked and phenols increased. 10 mg l^?1 Mor maintained marketability at par with control, effectively controlled loss in ascorbic acid, and increased acidity and reducing sugars. GA₃, although failing to control the loss of ascorbic acid, was effective in checking browning and thereby increased the market value of fruits as compared with controls and Mor-treated fruits.WE with or without Mor (10 mg l^?1) controlled browning, accumulation of phenols and losses in weight and moisture as compared with 10 mg l^?1 Mor, 100 mg l^?1 GA₃, or control, but could not retain ascorbic acid in comparison to 10 mg l^?1 Mor-treated fruits. Marketability of fruits having had treatment with either WE or GA₃ was the same. Fruits having had combined treatment with WE and 10 mg l^?1 Mor had maximum marketability. Minimum marketability was observed in fruits subjected to a combined treatment of WE + 100 mg l^?1 GA₃ due to maximum infection with Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp.     

Low temperature and gibberellic acid stimulation of germination in Sambucus caerulea Raf

Sambucus caerulea (elder) seeds did not germinate after 4°C cool treatments for up to 30 days, when monitored for a further 30 days at 21°C. When seeds were soaked for 24 h in gibberellic acid (GA₃) prior to and during cold treatment, germination percentage depended on GA₃ concentration and duration of cold treatment. The highest germination percentage was 55 (1000 mg l⁻¹ GA₃ for 30 days at 4°C). When seeds were treated with ethephon at 0, 100 or 1000 mg l⁻¹, no germination was recorded after a subsequent 30-day 4°C treatment. Ethephon added to GA₃ gave a strong interaction, leading to further promotion in germination. Optimal germination was obtained after 1000 mg l⁻¹ GA₃ and 100 mg l⁻¹ ethephon for 30 days at 4°C (69%).The addition of ethanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide or polyethylene glycol to the GA₃ soak as infusion agents either reduced or did not change the germination percentage.     

Asymmetric growth of citrus fruit peel induced by localized application of gibberellins in lanolin pastes

Lanolin pastes containing 0.02–1.0% gibberellin A₄₊₇(GA₄₊₇) were applied to one side of developing citrus fruitlets and caused thickening of the peel in the proximity of the treated zone. Enlargement of albedo (= the white portion of citrus peel) cells was involved, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The flavedo (= the coloured portion of the peel) and the pulp were not affected by the hormone. Gibberellin A₃ was slightly less active than GA₄₊₇. Cultivars with a naturally thick peel, such as ‘Marsh’ grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) and ‘Shamouti’ orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) responded more strongly than thin-peel cultivars. The role of gibberellins in the differential growth of citrus fruit tissues is discussed.     

Plant growth regulators and flowering of Brunonia and Calandrinia sp.

Brunonia australis R. Br (Goodeniaceae) and Calandrinia (Portulacaceae), native to Australia, are potential new flowering potted plants. This research investigated the role of daylength and growth regulators, Gibberellic acid (GA₃) and paclobutrazol (Pac), to control vegetative growth, peduncle elongation and flowering of Brunonia and Calandrinia. Plants were grown under long days (16 h), short days (11 h) and 8 weeks under short day then transferred to long day (SDLDs). Plants in each daylength were treated with GA₃, Pac, and GA₃+ Pac. GA₃ was applied as 10 μL drop of 500 mg L⁻¹ concentration to the newest mature leaf. A single application of Pac was applied as a soil drench at 0.25 mg a.i. dose per plant. Both Brunonia and Calandrinia flowered earlier in long days but still flowered in short days, so both can be classified as facultative LD plants. Brunonia under SDLDs were more vigorous and attractive than plants under LDs while still being more compact than plants under SDs. In Brunonia, GA₃ promoted earlier flowering and increased the number of inflorescences under SDs. Pac at 0.25 mg a.i. per plant applied alone or in combination with GA₃ had extended flower development in Brunonia, and resulted in a reduced number of inflorescences per plant compared to the control plants. Vegetative growth of Calandrinia was similar under LDs, SDs and SDLDs, whereas GA₃ application increased plant size. Pac-treated Calandrinia looked compact and attractive, and Pac application did not affect time to flower and flower number.     

GA3 increases fruit weight in ‘Yu Her Pau’ litchi

In order to increase the fruit weight of a shriveled-seed cultivar, trees of ‘Yu Her Pau’ litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) growing in Taiwan were sprayed with Gibberellic acid (GA₃) (ProGibb^®, 20% of GA₃) at 5 and 10 mg/l 14 days after full bloom (AFB) over 2 years. Both concentrations of GA₃ significantly increased fruit longitudinal and transversal diameter, and fruit, aril and pericarp weight (40–41 and 37–38 mm, and 27.3–28.4, 21.7–22.7 and 5.0–5.3 g, respectively) compared with control (35–36 and 33–34 mm, and 22.3–22.4, 17.8–17.9 and 3.9–4.0 g), but had no significant effects on seed weight, percentage of aril weight of total fruit weight or total soluble solids (0.5–0.7 g, 78.9–80.3% and 18.1–19.0 °Brix, respectively). Fruit characteristics within the two concentrations of GA₃ showed no significant difference. The results indicated that sprays of GA₃ should be evaluated in ‘Yu Her Pau’ commercial orchards, and in other elite cultivars.     

Effects of cold storage on postharvest leaf and flower quality of potted Oriental-, Asiatic- and LA-hybrid lily cultivars

The effects of cold storage of mature potted plants on postharvest leaf and flower quality were investigated in several cultivars of three major groups (Oriental, Asiatic and LA) of hybrid lilies (Lilium spp.). Mature plants were stored in darkness at 3 °C for 2 weeks before placing them in a postharvest evaluation room (22 °C) and were compared with plants moved directly to the evaluation room. The efficacy of GA₄₊₇ plus benzyladenine (BA) treatments (applied just before cold storage) for preventing cold-induced postharvest disorders in each cultivar was also evaluated. In all cultivars, cold storage caused several adverse effects on postharvest quality, including accelerated leaf yellowing or browning, bud abortion and reduced flower or inflorescence longevity. Leaf abscission was observed only in Oriental-hybrids. Treatment with GA₄₊₇ plus BA significantly reduced these disorders and improved the overall postharvest quality after cold storage. While different cultivars differed greatly in their sensitivity to cold storage, all the cultivars benefited from GA₄₊₇ plus BA treatment. Experiments indicated that GA₄₊₇ plus BA treatments could be applied as early as 2 weeks before the mature bud stage without compromising the positive effects.