RESPONSE OF "LE-CONTE" PEAR TREES TO SOME DORMANCY BREAKING AGENTS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Productive "Le-Conte" pear trees at El-Kanater Horticultural Re­search Station, Egypt, were sprayed at the end of January in 1996 and 1997 seasons with 250 ppm GA3, 0.5% and 1% thiourea, 3% potassium nitrate and 2%, 3% and 4% Dormex. All treatments increased percent­age of vegetative and flower bud break. High percentages and significant differences more than the control were obtained as a result of spraying Dormex at 33% and 4% concentrations. This agent also resulted in ad­vancing bud break for about two weeks in comparison with the control. The increase in fruit set percentage was realized due to 3% Dormex, 3% potassium nitrate and 1% thiourea treatments, respectively. However, all treatments increased yield except 0.5% thiourea treatment. Further­more, all treatments slightly decreased fruit diameter and firmness and increased total soluble solids, while acidity was not significantly affected.