Effects of 2,4-DP (2,4-dichlorophenoxypropionic acid) plant growth regulator on fruit size and yield of Valencia oranges (Citrus sinensis Osb.)
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Access Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Abstract
The Valencia orange is a high-quality fruit grown in Turkey; however, small fruit sizes and high fruit discard percentages are common in Valencia oranges. Small fruit size is the main factor limiting the marketing of Valencia oranges; thus, synthetic auxins are commonly used to enhance the size of citrus fruit. The objective of the present study was to observe the effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxypropionic acid (2,4-DP) on the fruit size, yield and quality of Valencia oranges from 29-year-old trees budded on sour orange rootstock in Adana, Turkey during 2005-06. Three concentrations (50, 100 and 150 ppm) of 2,4-DP were applied during the June drop, when the mean fruit diameter was 13-15 mm. The results indicated that the application of 2,4-DP increased the fruit size of Valencia oranges without reducing yield. The application had a significant effect on fruit yield. Compared with the control trees, applications of 2,4-DP increased the number of large, commercially valuable Valencia oranges (75-80 mm). Moreover, an increase in the concentration of 2,4-DP increased the yield and weight of the fruits. As a result, fruit retention was highest in trees sprayed with 150 ppm 2,4-DP. Except for the titratable acid content (TA), which increased with an increase in the 2,4-DP concentration, the internal characteristics of the fruit were not affected by treatment with 2,4-DP. Thus, the results of the present study revealed that 2,4-DP can be used to improve the fruit size of Valencia fruitlets during the June drop.
Description
Keywords
auxin, fruit quality, Valencia orange, yield, plant growth regulators
Journal or Series
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science
WoS Q Value
Q3
Scopus Q Value
Q2
Volume
40
Issue
1
