Effect of gibberellin sprays on fruit set of Washington Navel orange trees

Hield, H; Coggins, C; Garber, M

Effect of gibberellin sprays on fruit set of Washington Navel orange trees

Authors

H. Z. Hield
C. W. Coggins
M. J. Garber

Authors Affiliations

H. Z. Hield was Specialist in the Citrus Research Center and Agricultural Experiment Station, Riverside; C. W. Coggins, Jr. was Associate Plant Physiologist in the Citrus Research Center and Agricultural Experiment Station, Riverside; M. J. Garber was Associate Biometrician and Lecturer in the Citrus Research Center and Agricultural Experiment Station, Riverside.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 36(6):297-311. DOI:10.3733/hilg.v36n06p297. January 1965.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Earlier work has shown that gibberellin treatment of individual flowers or small fruits of many citrus varieties gave increased fruit set. The Washington Navel orange was selected for field scale experiments, entire trees being sprayed to determine the effect on fruit set. Phytotoxic responses of twig dieback and leaf drop resulted. Fruit set was not increased by overall gibberellin sprays. Often a significant reduction in yield resulted. Fruit size and quality responses are related to gibberellin concentration and date of application. The difference between response to applications on individual flowers or fruits and response to spraying the entire tree suggests the possible involvement of water relations and also indicates an influence of the gradient flow of gibberellin between the fruit and branch. Certain similar and contrasting responses of citrus to gibberellin sprays and some other plant growth regulators are noted.

Literature Cited

Bradley M. V., Crane J. C. Gibberellin stimulated cambial activity in stems of apricot spur shoots. Science. 1957. 126(3280):972-3. DOI: 10.1126/science.126.3280.972 [CrossRef]

Carns H. R., Addicott F. T., Baker K. C., Wilson R. K. Acceleration and retardation of abscission by gibberellic acid 1961. pp.559-65. Fourth International Conference on Plant Growth Regulation, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Coggins C. W. Jr., Eaks I. L., Hield H. Z., Jones W. W. Navel rind staining reduced by gibberellin A₃. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1963. 82:154-7.

Coggins C. W. Jr., Hield H. Z. Gibberellin on orange fruit. Calif. Agric. 1958. 12(9):11

Coggins C. W. Jr., Hield H. Z., Boswell S. B. The influence of potassium gibberellate on Lisbon lemon trees and fruit. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1960. 76:199-207.

Coggins C. W. Jr., Hield H. Z., Burns R. M. The influence of potassium gibberellate on grapefruit trees and fruit. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1962. 81:223-6.

Coggins C. W. Jr., Hield H. Z., Garber M. J. The influence of potassium gibberellate on Valencia orange trees and fruit. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1960. 76:193-8.

Cooper W. C., Peynado A. Effect of gibberellic acid on growth and dormancy in citrus. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1958. 72:284-9.

Erickson L. C., Brannaman B. L., Hield H. Z., Miller M. D. Responses of orange and grapefruit trees to maleic hydrazide. Bot. Gaz. 1952. 114:122-30. DOI: 10.1086/335752 [CrossRef]

Gardner F. C., Reece P. C., Horanic G. H. Thinning of Dancy tangerines at blossom time with maleic hydrazide. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort Sci. 1961. 77:188-93.

Hield H. Z., Burns R. M., Coggins C. W. Jr. Some fruit thinning effects of naphthaleneacetic acid on Wilking mandarin. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort Sci. 1962. 81:218-22.

Hield H. Z., Coggins C. W. Jr., Garber M. J. Gibberellin tested on citrus. Calif. Agric. 1958. 12(5):9-11.

Klotz L. J., DeWolfe T. A., Erickson L. C., Brannaman L. B., Garber M. J. Twig dieback of citrus trees. Calif. Citrog. 1962. 47(3):74 86-91.

Krezdorn A. H., Cohen M. The influence of chemical fruit-set sprays on yield and quality of citrus. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 1962. 75:53-60.

Parker E. R. Some effects of thinning orange fruits. Calif. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul. 1934. 576:32 https://archive.org/details/someeffectsofthi576park

Soost R. K., Burnett R. H. Effects of gibberellin on yield and fruit characteristics of Clementine mandarin. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1961. 77:194-201.