Apices only (wounding) or apices plus seeds (seed removal) were removed from fruit of 18-year-old apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) of the cultivars 'Paulared' and 'Golden Delicious' at 2-6 dates between the end of June drop and harvest over a 3-year period, to determine the effects of these treatments on fruit abscission in the field. Between 33 and 96% of 'Paulared' fruit abscised within 2 weeks if deprived of seeds at 4-7 weeks after petal fall. In the same period 0-14% of control and 3-44% of wounded fruit abscised. When the apex of the fruit was removed c. 8-12 weeks after petal fall, almost all fruit abscised whether seeds were removed or not. At the same time abscission of untreated fruit remained low (< 3%). Fruit wounded at 10 or 12 weeks after petal fall and then immediately sprayed with a 1 mM solution of silver thiosulphate abscised less than fruit wounded only. 'Golden Delicious' fruit did not abscise prematurely when either wounded or when the seeds were removed early (June-July). Wounding at the time of fruit maturity (September-October) increased ethylene evolution significantly only if performed before the climacteric.
The effect of wounding and seed removal on abscission of apple fruits between June drop and harvest
GUCCI, RICCARDO;
1991-01-01
Abstract
Apices only (wounding) or apices plus seeds (seed removal) were removed from fruit of 18-year-old apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) of the cultivars 'Paulared' and 'Golden Delicious' at 2-6 dates between the end of June drop and harvest over a 3-year period, to determine the effects of these treatments on fruit abscission in the field. Between 33 and 96% of 'Paulared' fruit abscised within 2 weeks if deprived of seeds at 4-7 weeks after petal fall. In the same period 0-14% of control and 3-44% of wounded fruit abscised. When the apex of the fruit was removed c. 8-12 weeks after petal fall, almost all fruit abscised whether seeds were removed or not. At the same time abscission of untreated fruit remained low (< 3%). Fruit wounded at 10 or 12 weeks after petal fall and then immediately sprayed with a 1 mM solution of silver thiosulphate abscised less than fruit wounded only. 'Golden Delicious' fruit did not abscise prematurely when either wounded or when the seeds were removed early (June-July). Wounding at the time of fruit maturity (September-October) increased ethylene evolution significantly only if performed before the climacteric.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
