Work

300 Bioregulators Can Affect Apple Mineral Nutrition

Year: 1999

Type: article

Abstract: Experiments were performed in 1995 and 1996 at the Mississippi State Univ. Agricultural Experiment Station, Pototoc Ridge, to investigate the effect of Accel and carbaryl sprayed 2 weeks postbloom on fruit set, yield, and plant nutrition of three apple cultivars (Empire, Jon-A-Red, and Braeburn). The treatments consisted of Accel 25 ppm, Accel 50 ppm, Accel 75 ppm, Carbaryl 0.05%, Carbaryl 0.1%, Carbaryl 0.2%, and an unsprayed control. Thinning trials using the two bioregulators conducted over 2 years indicated that Accel and Carbaryl consistently thinned the apple cultivars and increased the yields. Leaf mineral concentrations were affect by the treatments. In 1995, the treatments affected leaf concentrations of N, Ca, and Mg, while in 1996 the treatments affected the leaf contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn, but no copper. The treatments also affected the fruit flesh mineral concentration by increasing the contents of K, P, and Mg in 1996. It can therefore be concluded that, depending on apple cultivar, N content was reduced by the treatments while Ca and Mg were generally increased. Similarly, the fruit flesh contents of Fe, K, P, and Mg were also increased. The two bioregulators therefore thin apples, increase yields, and affect the fruit quality.

Source: HortScience

DOI: 10.21273/hortsci.34.3.494c

Authors: George Ouma, Frank Matta