Effect of GA3 and Sitofex (CPPU) Spraying on Yield and Fruit Quality of "Kelsey" Plum Trees (Prunus salicina Lindl.)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2018 and 2019 seasons at Abu El-Matamir region, El-Bohaira governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of foliar application of GA3 and sitofex (CPPU) on yield and fruit quality of eight year "Kelsey” plum trees (Prunus salicina Lindl.). Foliar spray of sitofex (CPPU) at 0, 5, 10 and 15 ppm and GA3 at 0, 20 and 40 ppm individually or in combination were done twice at full bloom and two weeks other. Twelve treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design as split plot, gibberellic acid was assigned in the main plots while sitofex (CPPU) was assigned in sub plots. The results showed that, trees sprayed with GA3 at 40 ppm + CPPU at 15 ppm or GA3 at 20 ppm + CPPU at 15 ppm significantly increased fruit set %,  yield (kg/ tree or ton/feddan) and  some fruit physical parameters such as (fruit weight, fruit size and fruit juice). Fruit drop % was decreased compared to control and other treatments. Chemical fruit quality such as SSC %, total acidity and SSC/acid ratio were also improved as compared to control. It could be recommended that, “Kelsey” plum trees sprayed with GA3 at 40 ppm + CPPU at 15 ppm or GA3 at 20 ppm + CPPU at 15 ppm twice at the full bloom and after two weeks from full bloom which are considered the best combination treatments used to increasing the percentage of fruit size, yield and fruit weight as well as improving the other characteristics of fruit quality.

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