ABSTRACT
Effect of girlding and forchlorfenuron on kiwifruit fruit growth and ripening

Gamalier Lemus S.1 y Oscar Aliaga D.2
 

Forchlorfenuron (CPPU) spraying 5 mg/L, and two kinds of trunk girdling: with bark remotion or a single blade bark ringing, were evaluated in Chile in 1993/94 seasons, on fruit growth and ripening conditions of kiwifruit. CPPU increased fruit weight almost in 17%, single blade bark ringing (SBBR), 22.5%, and girdling removing 4.5 mm bark (GRB), 6.4%. The best treatment was the combination SBBR/CPPU which increased fruit weight in 27.8%, changing from 118.2 to 145.5 grams the average fruit weight at harvest. Fruits were longer and with more circular section than the check ones. At harvest no changes in soluble solids content were appreciated, but fruit firmness was lower, without affecting fruit quality.

Keywords: kiwifruit, forchlorfenuron, CPPU, cytokinins, girdling, fruit growth.
1 Centro Regional de Investigación La Platina (INIA), Casilla 439, Correo 3, Santiago, Chile.
2 Agrícola Palo Alto, Los Lirios, Rancagua.