Abstract
SummaryPeaches and nectarines belong to a self-pollinating species and therefore tend to set a large number of small fruit. Chemical-thinning is not efficient in stone fruit. Consequently hand-thinning of fruitlets has become the commercial practice, although it is very expensive and not efficient at this stage. Over five consecutive years (2003 – 2007), application of 25 mg l−1 GA3 to the basal part of shoots during flower bud induction (60 d after full bloom ) reduced flowering of ‘Snow-Queen’, ‘Queen-Giant’, and ‘Arctic Mist’ nectarines, and ‘Scarlet-Snow’ peach in the following season. As a result, the time spent on hand-thinning was reduced by ca. 50%, and the yields of large fruit increased approx. two-to-three fold. Ripening of ‘Queen-Giant’ nectarine fruit was delayed slightly, and the incidence of internal breakdown following storage was reduced. Since the effect of the GA3 treatment lasted for only 1 year, it is suggested that it should be applied annually.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
