Paclobutrazol—A Plant Growth Retardant for Increasing Yield and Fruit Quality in Muskmelon

Abstract

Abstract The effects of paclobutrazol (cultar, PP333) on yield and fruit quality of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud. cv. Galia) were examined in a series of field experiments, in the spring at Newe Ya’ar (northern Israel) and in autumn at Biq’at HaYarden (lower Jordan Valley, eastern Israel). In the spring experiments, paclobutrazol applied at 2 and 4 mg·liter−1 as a drench to the media-mix of muskmelon transplants increased total fruit yield 15% to 20% at various plant populations and in combination with ethephon and/or chlorflurenol, but tended to decrease the early yield. Yield increase was due to an increase in fruit weight rather than number. Paclobutrazol, in general, tended to improve marketable yield, yield concentration, and netting index. In the autumn experiment, paclobutrazol was applied at 250 mg·liter−1 as a spray from flowering through fruit maturation and compared with benzyladenine (BA), and N, P, and K fertilization. Paclobutrazol reduced early leaf-yellowing symptoms, but was not as effective as BA. Paclobutrazol in the autumn experiment did not affect yield or yield components, but soluble solids content was significantly increased and keeping-quality was unaffected. Chemical names used: β-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-α-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-l ethanol (paclobutrazol); (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon); (methyl-2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-(9)-carboxylate) (chlorflurenol); benzyladenine (BA).