ISHS Acta Horticulturae 465: IV International Peach Symposium
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL THINNERS ON SEEDS OF PRUNUS PERSICA CV.REDHAVEN |
| Authors: | C. Vitagliano, M. Catania, A.C. Andreucci |
| Keywords: | abscisic acid, abscission, carbohydrate, Direphon, embryo, NAA-derivate |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.465.82 |
| Abstract:
An experiment was carried out on five-year-old “Redhaven” peach trees grown with the fusetta pruning system and grafted on GF 677. The peach trees were observed from anthesis up to 47 days after full bloom. At this time 2-(2-ethoxy ethoxy)ethyl 1-naphtylacetate (NAA-derivate) at 100 ppm concentration and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Direphon) at 60 ppm were applied. The first substance stimulated ethylene production, while the second released ethylene molecules. The histological analysis showed that the two substances applied on developing seeds might have different action mechanisms. The NAA-derivate seems to have modified “window” cells in the ovule, while Direphon seems to induce embryo abortion when the embryo is in its first stages of embryogenesis. Biochemical analysis showed different patterns of treated fruits with the NAA-derivate and Direphon. The carbohydrate content in seeds of NAA-derivate treated fruits decreased during this period, while the ABA level did not show a significant variation. In seeds of Direphon-treated fruits the carbohydrate content decreased greatly and the ABA level had a peak when the carbohydrate content was very low. Our results evidenced that the two thinner substances produced different effects; nevertheless both of them increased fruit abscission. | |
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