Use of root pruning, paclobutrazol, and prohexadione-Ca combination strategies to control growth and improve productivity on pear trees
Abstract
Growth control in pear orchards is essential, not just to reduce competition between vegetative and reproductive sinks, but also to improve return bloom, yield and fruit quality. The goal to optimize growth control, return bloom and yield must be pursued with the integration or combination of several strategies. Aim of this study was to assess the use of root pruning, paclobutrazol, and prohexadione-Ca (ProCa) either alone or in combination, to control growth and improve productivity on pear trees. The experiment was conducted during three years in a 10 year-old pear orchard with ‘Blanquilla’ as the scion cultivar. All of the different strategies that were assessed improved growth control in pear trees, with different grade depending on the strategy. Control trees had about 50% of the shoots shorter than 60 cm, root pruning 63%, ProCa 70%, paclobutrazol and root pruning plus ProCa 83%, and root pruning plus paclobutrazol 86%. In addition, yield, fruit weight and return bloom were more affected by applications of ProCa than paclobutrazol. Use of paclobutrazol either alone or in combination with root pruning seems to be most suitable for situations of high-vigor cultivars. The fact that use of paclobutrazol may be challenged again in the future, leave combinations of root pruning plus ProCa as the best shot for vigorous cultivars. In other situations of medium-low vigor, ProCa alone would be the best strategy.Downloads
References
Asin L, Vilardell P, 2008. Effect of root pruning, probexadione-Ca and their combination on growth control, return bloom and yield, in a 'Blanquilla' pear orchard. Acta Hortic 800: 133-138. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.800.13
Asin L, Dalmau R, Bonany J, Pages JM, Vilardell P, 2005. Effect of prohexadione-Ca on growth regulation, yield, fruit set and return bloom, in 'Blanquilla'and 'Conference', the two main pear cultivars grown in Spain. Acta Hortic 671: 525-532. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.671.73
Asin L, Alegre S, Montserrat R, 2007. Effect of paclobutrazol, prohexadione-Ca, deficit irrigation, summer pruning and root pruning on shoot growth, yield, and return bloom, in a 'Blanquilla' pear orchard. Sci Hortic 113 (2): 142-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2007.02.008
Byers RE, Yoder KS, 1999. Prohexadione-calcium inhibits apple, but not peach, tree growth, but has little influence on apple fruit thinning or quality. Hortscience 34 (7): 1205-1209. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.34.7.1205
Carra B, Fachinello JC, De Abreu ES, Pasa MD, Spagnol D, Giovanaz MA, Da Silva CP, 2017. Control of the vegetative growth of 'Shinseiki' pear trees by prohexadione calcium and root pruning. Pesqu Agropec Bras 52 (3): 177-185. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-204x2017000300005
Costa G, 2017. Bioregulators application in pear production. Proc 6th Conf on Innovation in Fruit Growing, 2017 Belgrade, Serbia.
Costa G, Andreotti C, Bucchi F, Sabatini E, Bazzi C, Malaguti S, Rademacher W, 2001. Prohexadione-Ca (Apogee((R))): Growth regulation and reduced fire blight incidence in pear. Hortscience 36 (5): 931-933. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.36.5.931
Costa J, Bosch M, Blanco A, 1995. Growth and cropping of 'Blanquilla' pear trees treated with paclobutrazol. J Hortic Sci 70 (3): 433-443. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.1995.11515313
Deckers T, 1992. Training systems of young pear trees with or without chemical growth regulation. Acta Hortic 322: 21-28. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.322.2
Deckers T, Schoofs H, 2008. Status of the pear production in Europe. Acta Hortic 800: 95-106. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.800.8
Deckers T, Schoofs H, Smolders E, 2005. Natural or chemical growth regulation in pear. Acta Hortic 671: 503-516. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.671.71
Dheim MA, Browning G, 1988. The mechanism of the effect of (2RS, 3RS)-paclobutrazol on flower initiation of pear cvs Doyenne-Du-Comice and Conference. J Hortic Sci 63 (3): 393-405. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.1988.11515873
Elfving DC, Lombardini L, Mcferson JR, Drake SR, Faubion DF, Auvil TD, Van Ee G, Visser DB, 2003. Effects of directed applications of prohexadione-calcium to tops of mature pear trees on shoot growth, light penetration, pruning and fruit quality. J Am Pomol Soc 57 (2): 45-57.
Evans JR, Evans RR, Regusci CL, Rademacher W, 1999. Mode of action, metabolism, and uptake of BAS 125W, prohexadione-calcium. Hortscience 34 (7): 1200-1201. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.34.7.1200
Ferree DC, Scurlock DM, Schmid JC, 1999. Root pruning reduces photosynthesis, transpiration, growth, and fruiting of container-grown French-American hybrid grapevines. HortScience 34 (6): 1064-1067. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.34.6.1064
Gomand A, 2003. Regalis: La solution des problemes en culture de poiriers? Fruit Belge 71 (502): 49-52.
Greene DW, 1986. Effect of paclobutrazol and analogs on growth, yield, fruit-quality, and storage potential of Delicious apples. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 111 (3): 328-332.
Greene DW, 1991. Reduced rates and multiple sprays of paclobutrazol control growth and improve fruit quality of 'Delicious' apples. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 116 (5): 807-812. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.116.5.807
Hedden P, Graebe JE, 1985. Inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis by paclobutrazol in cell-free homogenates of Cucurbita maxima endosperm and Malus pumila embryos. J Plant Growth Regul 4 (1-4): 111. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02266949
Heijerman G, Roelofs P, Groot MJ, 2015. Profitability of the Dutch growing system of 'Conference'. Acta Hortic 1094: 233-238. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1094.29
Iglesias I, Casals E, 2013. Evolución de la producción de pera en España y análisis del mercado. Vida Rural 367: 36-43.
Janssens P, Deckers T, Elsen F, Elsen A, Schoofs H, Verjans W, Vandendriessche H, 2011. Sensitivity of root pruned 'Conference' pear to water deficit in a temperate climate. Agr Water Manage 99 (1): 58-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2011.07.018
Jauset AM, Artigues M, Avilla J, Sarasua MJ, 2000. Relación Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Homoptera: Psyllidae)-Peral. Influencia de la variedad. Bol San Veg 26 (4A): 657-664.
Khan ZU, Mcneil DL, Samad A, 1998. Root pruning of apple trees grown at ultra‐high density affects carbohydrate reserves distribution in vegetative and reproductive growth. New Zeal J Crop Hortic Sci 26 (4): 291-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.1998.9514066
Lee YC, Kang SM, 1997. Vine and fruit growth of Seibel 9110 grapes for two years as affected by ecodormant root pruning. J Kor Soc Hortic Sci 38: 47-54.
Lind K, Lafer G, Schloffer K, Innerhofer G, Meister H, 2003. Choice of rootstocks and cultivars in organic fruit production. In: Organic fruit growing; Lind K, et al. (eds.). CABI Publ, Cambridge, MA, USA. https://doi.org/10.1079/9780851996400.0000
Lopes C, Santos T, Monteiro A, Rodrigues ML, Costa JM, Chaves MM, 2011. Combining cover cropping with deficit irrigation in a Mediterranean low vigor vineyard. Sci Hortic 129 (4): 603-612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2011.04.033
Maas FM, 2005. Shoot growth, fruit production and return bloom in 'Conference' and 'Doyenne du Comice' treated with Regalis (prohexadione-calcium). Acta Hortic 671: 517-524. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.671.72
Maas F, 2008. Strategies to control tree vigour and optimise fruit production in 'Conference' pears. Acta Hortic 800: 139-146. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.800.12
Miller SS, 1995. Root pruning and trunk scoring have limited effect on young bearing apple trees. HortScience 30 (5): 981-984. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.30.5.981
Miller SS, Tworkoski T, 2003. Regulating vegetative growth in deciduous fruit trees. PGRSA Quart 31 (1): 8-46.
Mitcham EJ, Elkins RB, 2007. Pear production and handling manual, UCANR Publ, Davis, CA (USA). 215 pp.
Mitre V, Mitre I, Sestras AF, Sestras RE, 2012. Effect of root pruning upon the growth and fruiting of apple trees in high density orchards. Bull UASVM Horticulture 69 (1) 2012.
Mouco MA, Ono E, Rodrigues JD, 2011. Controle do crescimento vegetativo e floração de mangueiras cv. Kent com reguladores de crescimento vegetal. Embrapa Semiárido-Artigo em periódico indexado (ALICE). https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-29452011000400001
Musacchi S, 2008. Training systems and soil management for southern European pear orchards. Acta Hortic 772: 447-457. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.772.76
Palmer JW, Avery DJ, Wertheim SJ, 1992. Effect of apple tree spacing and summer pruning on leaf area distribution and light interception. Sci Hortic 52 (4): 303-312. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4238(92)90031-7
Raese JT, Burts EC, 1983. Increased yield and suppression of shoot growth and mite populations of "d'Anjou" pear trees with nitrogen and paclobutrazol. HortScience 18 (2): 212-214.
Rai N, Bist LD, 1992. Effect of soil-and foliar-applied paclobutrazol on vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set and yield of oriental pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.) Nakai). Sci Hortic 50 (1-2): 153-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4238(05)80018-4
Robinson TL, 2011. High density pear production with Pyrus communis rootstocks. Acta Hortic 909: 259-270. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.909.28
Sansavini S, Musacchi S, 2002. European pear orchard design and HDP management: a review. Acta Hortic 596: 589-601. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.596.103
Sansavini S, Cristoferi G, Montalti P, 1988. Effects of paclobutrazol on growth, fruiting, carbohydrate metabolism in pear trees. Adv Hortic Sci 2 (2): 52-57.
Sansavini S, Ancarani V, Neri D, 2007. Overview of intensive pear culture: planting density, rootstocks, orchard management, soil-water relations and fruit quality. Acta Hortic 800: 35-50. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.800.1
Saure MC, 2007. Root pruning-a poorly understood management practice in fruit trees. Int J Fruit Sci 7 (2): 43-56. https://doi.org/10.1300/J492v07n02_05
Schupp JR, Ferree DC, 1988. Effects of root pruning at four levels of severity on growth and yield of 'Melrose'/M. 26 apple trees. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 113 (2): 194-198.
Smit M, Meintjes JJ, Jacobs G, Stassen PJC, Theron KI, 2005. Shoot growth control of pear trees (Pyrus communis L.) with prohexadione-calcium. Sci Hortic 106 (4): 515-529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2005.05.003
Southwick SM, Ingels C, Hansen R, Glozer K, 2004. The effects of Apogee® on shoot growth, secondary flowering, fire blight, fruit quality, yield and return bloom in 'Bartlett' pear growing in California. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 79 (3): 380-389. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2004.11511777
Sugar D, Elfving DC, Mielke EA, 2002. Effects of prohexadione-calcium (Apogee) on blossoming, production, and fruit quality in pear. Acta Hortic 596: 757-760. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.596.130
Torres E, Recasens I, Lordan J, Alegre S, 2017. Combination of strategies to supply calcium and reduce bitter pit in 'Golden Delicious' apples. Sci Hortic 217: 179-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.01.028
Tworkoski TJ, Glenn DM, 2010. Long-term effects of managed grass competition and two pruning methods on growth and yield of peach trees. Sci Hortic 126 (2): 130-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2010.06.020
Vercammen J, 2014. Comparison of different planting systems for 'Conference'. Acta Hortic 1058: 37-43. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1058.2
Vercammen J, Van Daele G, Gomand A, 2005. Root pruning: a valuable alternative to reduce the growth of 'Conference'. Acta Hortic 671: 533-537. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.671.74
Warnier O, 2003. Premieres observations des effets du Regalis sur pommiers et poiriers. Fruit Belge 71 (502): 37-48.
Westwood MN, Lombard PB, 1983. Pear rootstocks - present and future. Fruit Var J 37 (1): 24-28.
Williamson JG, Coston DC, 1990. Planting method and irrigation rate influence vegetative and reproductive growth of peach planted at high density. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 115 (2): 207-212. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.115.2.207
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the printed and online versions of this Journal are the property of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.
All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a “Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International” (CC BY 4.0) License. You may read here the basic information and the legal text of the license. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 License must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the published by the Editor, is not allowed.
