Effects of gibberellic acids on time of maturity and on yield and quality of cauliflower.

Abstract

Gibberellic acid (GA4+7) was applied to cauliflower crops of the cultivars Delira and Elgon, grown in spring and summer of the years 1984, 1985 and 1986. Observations were made on the timing of the end of the juvenile phase and of curd initiation, the final number of leaves and the total length of growing period. In most crops the period between transplanting and harvest was shortened when GA4+7 was applied twice after the end of juvenility at a concentration of 80 mg/litre. The extent of shortening of the growing period increased with increasing difference between the number of leaves initiated at the time of application and the final number of leaves of the untreated crop. GA4+7 reduced the final number of leaves. Quality of the curds was unaffected by the treatment in most harvests, but the bracting incidence was reduced. In crops of cv. Delira with a low final number of leaves, size and quality of the curds was reduced. The results are discussed in relation to harvest planning of cauliflower. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)