Prohexadione-Ca and young cane removal treatments control growth, productivity, and fruit quality of the Willamette raspberry

Authors : Milena M. POLEDICA, Jasminka M. MILIVOJEVIC

Pages : 680-687

View : 14 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 2012-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Plant growth retardants` applications have a practical use in fruit production, generally resulting in better vegetative growth and cropping level balance. Foliar applications of the gibberellin synthesis inhibitor prohexadione-Ca insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ProCa);, removal of young canes, and the combination of these treatments were evaluated in the Willamette raspberry insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Rubus idaeus L);. The experiment consisted of 5 treatments, including 1 untreated control. ProCa was applied during the period of April-May, as a foliar spray at active ingredient concentrations of 100 ppm insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(first application); and 200 ppm insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(second application); at a 3-week interval, either in treatment with ProCa alone or in combination with young cane removal insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R+ProCa);. The first series of young primocanes were removed for the first time in mid-April insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R and R+ProCa); and for the second time at the beginning of May insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2R);. Application of a growth retardant resulted in the inhibition of the cane`s growth, followed by increasing the number of nodes per meter of cane. Positive effects of ProCa and R+ProCa on the number of fruiting laterals and yields per floricane were found without negative consequences on fruit quality, except for a reduction of total acidity. All treatments increased yield per cane. Total antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and anthocyanin contents were significantly increased using ProCa.
Keywords : Key words Antioxidant compounds, cane removal, generative potential, growth retardant, raspberry