Effect of different rates and timing of soil applications of paclobutrazol on the growth of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.)
1993
Granger, A.R. | Traeger, D.R.C. (South Australian Dept. of Agriculture, Adelaide)
Two experiments were conducted in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia: one used a regression design with 16 rates of paclobutrazol; the other was a randomised block experiment with paclobutrazol treatments applied in spring, autumn, or half in autumn and half in spring. Butt circumference growth of the variety Sam grafted on Mahaleb rootstocks tended to reduce with increased rates of paclobutrazol in the first year of application. The lowest rate of paclobutrazol to reduce butt growth significantly below that of control trees was 1.2. g a.i. per tree. Canopy growth showed a delayed response in measurable growth inhibition in the season after treatment. Final canopy volumes of trees treated with 1.6 g paclobutrazol in spring were half those of control canopies. Variability in butt growth response to the range of rates applied was attributed largely to localised differences in soil properties. In 1987, crop level ratings made before harvest showed significantly higher levels of fruit on trees treated with 1.6 g paclobutrazol in spring, indicating that fruit numbers could be increased by applications of paclobutrazol.
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