Abstract

ESPINDOLA BARQUERA, María de la Cruz; CANO MEDRANO, Raquel; RODRIGUEZ ALCAZAR, Jorge  and  SANCHEZ GARCIA, Prometeo. Fruit set in avocado "Hass" with applications of GA₃, N and girdling. Agric. Téc. Méx [online]. 2008, vol.34, n.4, pp.407-419. ISSN 0568-2517.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of girdling and applications of GA₃ and N on fruit set of avocado trees (Persea americana Mill.). The experiment was conducted during three production cycles, from 2003 to 2006 at 'La Labor' Experimental Station of CICTAMEX, S. C., San Andrés, Temascaltepec, Estado de México. 'Hass' avocado trees 8-year-old grafted on seedling of Mexican race rootstocks were utilized. The factors evaluated were N (160 g and 0 g per tree), GA₃ (25 and 0 mg L^-1) and girdling (girdling and no girdling). A completely random experimental design was used with a factorial arrangement, with six replications per treatment and a single tree as experimental unit. GA₃ and N were applied during the eight stage of the inflorescence development -known as the "cauliflower" stage-, and girdling was performed at full bloom. On the "low yield" crop year, the treatments of N or girdling increased initial and final fruit set; the combinations of N (160 g tree^-1) + GA₃ (25 mg L^-1) + girdling and N (160 g tree^-1) + girdling, increased the initial and final fruit set, respectively. On the "high yield" crop year, the initial fruit set was increased with the application of N or GA₃, and the final fruit set with girdling and the combination of N (160 g tree^-1) + GA₃ (25 mg L^-1) + girdling. The application of N promoted the accumulation of glucose and fructose in leaves and panicles with developing fruits. The combinations of treatments showed an additive effect of girdling on the accumulation of glucose, and sucrose and fructose in panicles and leaves, respectively.

Keywords : Persea americana Mill.; foliar fertilization; N; AG₃; soluble carbohydrates.

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