Work

Paclobutrazol and ABA counteract GA₃-induced cork spot in ‘Akizuki’ by optimizing mineral homeostasis and cellular integrity

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cork spot disorder causes substantial economic losses in ‘Akizuki’ pear orchards by reducing fruit quality. To identify effective solutions, we evaluated the effects of plant growth regulators—gibberellic acid (GA₃), paclobutrazol (PP₃₃₃), and abscisic acid (ABA)— on controlling this disorder. Exogenous GA₃ application aggravated cork spot severity by altering magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium-based nutrient ratios, thickening the fruit’s outer layer, and downregulating the expression level of genes involved in calcium homeostasis ( CP1, ACA2, NCL ). In contrast, paclobutrazol or ABA application in the field significantly reduced the incidence and severity of cork spot ( p < 0.05) by optimizing potassium and magnesium to calcium ratios, increasing calcium accumulation in tissues, and promoting denser cellular structures. At the molecular level, paclobutrazol and ABA mitigated the influence of cork spot disorder by enhancing the expression level of the genes encoding calcium-binding proteins (CP1, KCO1, NCL). We recommend paclobutrazol and ABA as scalable and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional calcium sprays alleviate the influence of cork spot disorder in pear fruit.

Source: Scientia Horticulturae

DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114659