Calyx biochemical changes and possibility of reducing thomson orange June drop by nutrition elements and growth regulators

Abstract

Summer fruit drop (June drop) is one of the main reasons for low yield in some citrus varieties in northern Iran. Recognition of physiological changes in fruit abscission zone (calyx) and application of suitable treatments would reduce or control abscission. Hence, the changes of auxin, cellulose, and polygalacturonase in calyx of Thomson navel fruitlets were measured and their relations with abscission and mineral nutrition of fruitlets as well as the effect of different treatments on them at June drop were evaluated. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was performed with 8 treatments and 4 replicates. Treatments were as follows: 1. control; 2. urea (1%); 3. urea + 2,4-D (15 mg l^-1); 4.urea + GA₃ (15 mg l^-1); 5.urea + sucrose (1%); 6.urea + ZnSO₄ (0.5%); 7. urea + ZnSO₄ + 2,4-D; and 8. urea + ZnSO4 + GA₃. Results showed that abscission had a significant negative correlation with auxin and a significant positive correlation with cellulase and polygalacturonase of the calyx. The control group had the lowest auxin and the highest cellulase in calyx. Maximum effect (Approximately 24% reduction in abscission) was obtained after foliar application of urea + sucrose (treatments 5). The use of urea alone or in combination with 2, 4-D and GA₃had no effect on abscission; however, using it in combination with sucrose was the most efficient treatment in this experiment. Furthermore, the combination of urea and Zn provided an effective treatment. A majority of micronutrients (Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B) had a positive correlation with auxin and a negative correlation with enzymes. Therefore, nutritional management and providing an appropriate condition to maximize photosynthesis can balance physiological metabolism and reduce fruitlets abscission.