No abstract

There are documentary records referring to paclobutrazol (PBZ) as a growth bioregulator that inhibits the gibberellin synthesis and its application increases yields in fruit and vegetable crop productions. Its agronomic management includes it as an emerging technology to reduce vigour, promote flower induction and flower development in fruit trees with increased economic returns. Its use is banned in some countries because of concerns about residues that can cause harmful effects on the environment. Therefore, the aim of this article was to collect, analyse and summarise relevant information on the use of PBZ in fruit tree production and its possible risks to the environment. The results obtained indicated that the application of PBZ can be effective in solving some problems related to flowering if it is applied in the right amount and at the right time. However, it is necessary to elucidate the physiological processes with which it is associated and its response to be taken into account to increase yield. PBZ is currently used in fruit trees such as mango, lime, apple and guava, increasing their productivity. However, some studies have shown its residual effect on the environment. Therefore, PBZ is a viable strategy, because it presents a series of advantages in the production of fruit trees. However, it is vital to generate protocols that seek its regulation with a rational and sustainable approach.

Pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch.] is a deciduous tree whose fruits (nuts) are of high economic value and offer excellent nutritional benefits. However, soils high in sulphates can limit its growth and development. Working with 5-year-old trees of 'Western Schley' pecan grown in soils high in sulphates, the levels of proline and oxidative metabolism were recorded in the leaflets. Results showed that different levels of visible leaflet damage ('sufficiency' , 'low' , 'moderate' or 'severe') were associated with different levels of leaflet sulphates (mg kg −1 ): 'sufficiency' (≤40), 'low' (41-60), 'moderate' (61-80) and 'severe' (80-100). 'Severe' sulphate damage was associated with significant reductions in chlorophyll (TChl) (17.04 μg g −1 ), relative water content (RWC) (50%) and leaf area (LA), and with increases in the concentrations of total carotenoids (TC) and proline (Prl). Increases were also observed in the activities of the oxidative metabolism enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) (1.82 units min −1 g −1 ), catalase (CAT) (2.86 μmol H 2 O 2 min −1 g −1 ) and antioxidant capacity (AC) (87% DPPH inhibition). However, guaiacol peroxidase (GP) showed a reduction (2.97 nmol GSH min −1 g −1 ). An inverse relationship was found between the sulphate concentration in the leaflets with respect to the evaluated parameters of TChl, TC, RWC, LA, AC, and GP. Proline synthesis and antioxidant enzymatic activity indicate salt stress in pecan leaflets in orchards irrigated with deep-well water high in sulphates.