Year: 1990
Type: article
Abstract: Ethrel sprays were applied at 50 or 100 ppm at approximately 40%, 70% leaf fall (10/16/89 or 10/24/89, respectively) or at both times on `Redhaven' and `Allgold' peaches. Bud hardiness was determined biweekly by differential thermal analysis (DTA). Stage and percentage of bloom open during the bloom period were subjectively estimated. Spraying trees with 100ppm Ethrel at 50% leaf fall significantly increased bud hardiness at mid-winter compared to other treatments. After a mid-winter freeze (-21.7 C on 12/21/89), there was no significant difference between % bud survival of any treatments. But, trees treated with 50 or 100ppm Ethrel had 10-20% better bud survival than other treatments. Buds of the 2 cultivars had statistically similar hardiness although DTA analysis indicated that Redhaven had a .5-.8 C lower freezing point than Allgold in mid winter. This trend was reversed close to bloom with Allgold having .7 C lower freezing point than Redhaven. The time of full bloom was significantly delayed by treating trees with 100ppm at 40% leaf fall or 50ppm at both 40 and 70% leaf fall the previous autumn.
Source: HortScience
Authors: Keith Patterson, Curt R. Rom, Robert Bourne, John C. Clark
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1947435001