Prohexadione calcium controls shoot growth of pear trees

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of prohexadione calcium (PCa) on vegetative growth and production of ‘Carrick’, ‘Packham’s’ and ‘William’s’ pear. The trial was performed at the experimental field of the Federal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil (31º 52’ 00" S; 52º 21’ 24" W), during the growing seasons of 2011 and 2012. Treatments were applied to single-tree replications in a randomized complete block design with four replications as follows: Control (unsprayed), PCa (PCa - 750 g ha-1 i.a.). The application was split in four (187,5g ha-1 a.i. each) and three timings (250g ha-1 a.i. each) in the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons, respectively. The assessed parameters were: shoot length, trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) increment, number of nodes, internode length, pruning weight, number of fruits, average fruit weight, production per tree and return bloom. It was possible to conclude that application of PCa at 750 g. ha-1 a.i satisfactorily controls shoot growth through the reduction of internode length of ‘Carrick’, ‘Packham’s’ and ‘William’s’ pears. Besides, it was observed that return bloom is not negatively affected by PCa. So, this plant growth regulator is a potential management tool to reduce shoot growth and the need for pruning in pear orchards.

Evaluation of Different Rootstocks and Cultivars on Pruning Weight in Young Pear Trees

“…However, in the pear orchards without pruning, trees develop severely zigzag, show excessive fruit load, but produce small and poor quality fruit (Gurpinder et al, 2018). In low-yielding pear orchards, vigorous rootstocks and cultivars are the main factors limiting pear production (Maas, 2008;Hawerroth and Petri, 2011;Rufato et al, 2012;Pasa et al, 2016, Black Sea Journal of Agriculture 2017). Pyrus and Cydonia species are used as rootstock for pear production (Iglesias and Asin, 2011;North et al, 2015).…”

Effect of prohexadione calcium on vegetative growth, yield and scab development on ‘Sinap Orlovskii’ apple trees

“…The light transmission becomes insufficient due to excessive vegetative growth (because of too many branches), stimulating disease development, making more expensive and challenging pruning, and finally reducing the yield and fruit quality [10]. Pro-Ca's application reduces the internode length of one-year shoots but does not decrease their number [11]. The number of leaves and their area do not diminish, which is very important for yield.…”