Sprout Control of Apple and Pear Trees with NAA1

Abstract

Abstract Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was applied in the spring to pruned apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) and pear (Pyrus communis L.) trees for control of sprouting on trunks and scaffold limbs. After one growing season, sprouting was completely controlled on trunks and scaffold limbs of ‘Delicious’ apple and ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pear trees. After two growing seasons, about 80 to 90% of the sprouts were inhibited on the scaffold limbs of ‘Delicious’ and ‘Winesap’ apple trees. NAA controlled sprouting at 1% with no added benefit at 2%; 0.5% NAA was least effective.