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Fire blight of apples (Erwinia amylovora) can be a serious disease depending on production area and year. Bloom is the most frequent starting point for infection and the primary focus for sprays which can prevent infection, or of growth regulators such as prohexadione-Ca (ProCa) to limit spread. Because of the sporadic cases, many growers opt to forego bloom sprays when disease pressure is low. When symptoms do appear, quickly pruning out affected branches is currently the most effective control measure. Our goal was to determine if ProCa applied when symptoms appear, instead of during bloom when infection risks are predicted, could be used to limit disease spread, and if this would interact with summer symptom removal. The study was carried out in 2018 and 2019 at the IRDA orchard in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec. Plots inoculated during bloom were allocated to treatments in which diseased branches were either pruned during summer or only in winter, and trees sprayed with ProCa starting at bloom, when symptoms appeared, or not. Potential for disease progression was assessed by inoculating shoots and rating them for disease severity and ooze production. Significantly less wood was removed from trees pruned during the summer as opposed to winter, but total yield was reduced. ProCa had no effect on the amount of dead wood pruned, but still reduced disease severity. We found that ProCa reduced ooze on inoculated shoots and that post symptom timing was as effective as the bloom spray. Delaying sprays until symptoms appear could become an alternative strategy to reduce summer spread of fire blight.

The triploid pear cultivar 'Ingeborg' is currently the main commercial pear cultivar grown in Norway. However, fruit set and subsequent yields of this cultivar have proven to be variable and overall rather low. In order to promote the fruit set, different bioregulators were applied during and after bloom and compared with an untreated control. Investigations were done during the period 2017-2018, at NIBIO Ullensvang, western Norway. Different dosages of both gibberellins (GA3, trade name GIBB 3, 10% active ingredient (a.i.) and GA4/7, trade name Novagib®, 1% a.i.) were applied at full bloom and at petal fall. Additional applications of the growth retardant prohexadione-Ca (trade name Regalis®, 10% a.i.) were applied twice, when bourse shoots had 3-5 leaves and after one month later. Ethephon (Cerone (480 g a.i. L-1)) was applied three times starting about 7 days after petal fall with ca. 7- to 10-day intervals. All gibberellin applications significantly increased fruit set compared to the untreated control. One single application with GA3 (3 g ha-1) almost tripled the fruit number per 100 flower clusters when compared with the control (136 and 46, respectively). The yield response was similar (16.8 to 9.6 kg tree-1, respectively). Similar results occurred with one application of GA4/7 (12 g ha-1) with the same crop load level, and the fruit weights were similar to the control (130 g). Prohexadione-Ca treatments significantly reduced shoot growth of the pear trees. Two treatments with 125 g ha-1 or one treatment of 250 g ha-1 reduced the growth by ~35% but had no significant effect on fruit set and yield. The multiple ethephon applications (275 mL ha-1 in total) had no effect on both set and shoot growth, and return bloom compared to the untreated or gibberellin treated trees.

El cultivo de la cebolla en México representa gran importancia económica, en el año 2014 se establecieron 48 170 ha. La emisión de tallo floral representa un grave problema de producción ya que merma la calidad y el rendimiento. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de fitoreguladores de crecimiento sobre la reducción de la emisión de tallo floral en cebolla. El experimento se desarrolló durante el ciclo otoño-invierno 2013- 2014 en dos localidades (Magdalena y Caborca, Sonora). Los productos evaluados fueron: Apogee (Prohexadione Ca, 50 ppm), Cultar 25 SC (Paclobutrazol, 10 ppm), Ethrel (Etefón, 5000 ppm), Pix Plus (Cloruro de Mepiquat, dos aplicaciones de 42 ppm), Moddus 250 (Trinexapac-etil, dos aplicaciones de 250 ppm) y Agromil V. (1 556 ppm). La aplicación se realizó en forma foliar con un volumen de 500 L ha-1 para cada tratamiento. En Magdalena, los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas entre los productos evaluados en la emisión de tallo floral La aplicación de Ethrel y Pix Plus presentaron una respuesta positiva en la disminución del tallo floral con 10.5% contra 30.7% del testigo, Por otro lado, Ethrel produjo el mayor rendimiento con 61.8 t ha-1. En Caborca no hubo respuesta a la aplicación de los reguladores de crecimiento en la emisión de tallo floral ni en rendimiento comercial.

The effect of retardant Prohexadione-Ca (BAS 125 10W, BASF Corp., Germany) and heavy metal copper on growth and endogenous concentrations of free and conjugated putrescine, spermidine and spermine in roots and leaves of pea plants were investigated. It was found that the polyamine concentrations increased seven days after the treatments. Most considerable increase of polyamines was detected in plants treated with copper and Prohexadione-Ca. The variations in polyamine concentrations in leaves and roots of pea plants suggest that Prohexadione-Ca had a protective effect against Cu stress of pea plants, which was expressed by additional accumulation of polyamines.

A 3-yr orchard study was conducted on Tehranivee, an advanced selection of sweet cherry [Prunus avium (L.) L.] on Mazzard and Gisela 6 rootstocks, to determine the efficacy of different prohexadione-calcium (P-Ca) and ethephon (ETH) treatments on vegetative growth. In experiment 1, cherry trees were treated with 123 or 246 mg L−1 P-Ca, which was sprayed on 16 and 30 d after full bloom (DAFB) or 16, 30, and 44 DAFB. In experiments 2 and 3, trees were treated before (−6 DAFB) and after (7 and 24 DAFB) bloom with P-Ca and rates similar to experiment 1, as well as with tank-mixed sprays of 123–246 mg L−1 P-Ca and 175 mg L−1 ETH applied at various timings. P-Ca alone or in combination with ETH decreased the vegetative shoot growth by up to 74% compared with the untreated control, but this varied by cultivar and year, as well as by plant growth regulator application rate, frequency, and timing. Lower rates of P-Ca at 123 mg L−1 were as effective as 246 mg L−1. No benefit was observed in applying P-Ca before blo...

Two semi-erect blackberry cultivars, 'Loch Ness' and 'Triple Crown', were used to investigate the effect of Prohexadione-Ca (ProCa) on vegetative growth, generative potential and fruit quality parameters. ProCa reduced the cane and internode length, but increased the node number per meter of cane length in both cultivars. ProCa application enhanced the number of fruiting branches and yield per bush in the following year. Fruit weight, number of drupelets per fruit, fruit shape index, content of soluble solids, shikimic acid and some phenolics were significantly increased by ProCa. ProCa-cultivar interaction was significant regarding the content of quercetin-3-rutino-side and procyanidin trimer. 'Loch Ness' had approximately 40% higher yields per bush and contained abundant quantities of anthocyanins and flavonols, whereas larger fruits and higher content of primary metabolites, some flavanols and total hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were found in 'Triple Crown'. According to obtained results, the ProCa application at the rate from 100 to 200 mg L-1 is able to establish acceptable growth control without negative effects on yield and chemical fruit composition.

The trial was conducted in a ‘Gala’/M9 orchard and the experiment was designed as a randomized block comprising four treatments (application of Prohexadione-Ca: 125 mg-l, 250 mg-l, 2 x 125 mg-l, and control - without growth regulator). Experiments have been carried out for 2 years (2003, 2004). Application of Regalis reduced trunk cross-sectional area increment, and cumulative extension shoot growth. The effect increasing with concentration, and a greater inhibition was obtained when the trees were sprayed two times. Compared to control, return bloom of Regalis-treated trees was not affected. No negative effects of treatment with Regalis on yield per tree were observed, but some reduction of average fruit weight was found.

A series of four experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effects of individual and combined applications of prohexadione-Ca (P-Ca) and GA4+7 primarily on fruit russet, but also on fruit set, fruit weight, early season shoot growth, and fruit maturity of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.). A single application of P-Ca (138 to 167 mg·L−1) at petal fall (PF) reduced the severity of russet in three of the four experiments; however, multiple applications of 20 ppm GA4+7 at 10-day intervals beginning at PF generally reduced russet more effectively than P-Ca. P-Ca did not reduce the efficacy of GA4+7 sprays for russet reduction. However, GA4+7 sprays reduced the inhibitory effects of P-Ca on shoot growth measured 30 days after PF. A single application of P-Ca at PF had no effect on mean fruit weight at harvest. Fruit size was lowest for the combined P-Ca and GA4+7 treatment in every experiment, although there was a significant interaction between P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays on mean fruit weight in only one experiment. There were no consistent effects of P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays, alone or in combination, on fruit maturity parameters at harvest. These data show that a single application of P-Ca at PF reduced russet severity, and the effects of P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays on russet can be additive. The economic benefits resulting from a reduction in russet severity after combined P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays will need to be balanced against their occasional negative effect on fruit size. Chemical names used: prohexadione-calcium [3-oxido-4-propionyl-5-oxo-3 cyclohexenecarboxylate formulated as Apogee (27.5% a.i.)].

A series of experiments were undertaken to compare the effects of individual and combined applications of GA4+7 and prohexadione-Ca (P-Ca) on scarf skin and fruit quality parameters on red strains of `Rome Beauty' and `Gala' apples. Three applications of GA4+7 at 10-day intervals beginning at petal fall (PF) significantly reduced scarf skin severity in all experiments. A single application of P-Ca at PF had no effect on scarf skin in one experiment but reduced scarf skin severity in two further experiments. Combining P-Ca with the first of three GA4+7 sprays as a tank mix reduced the severity of scarf skin more effectively than either material alone in two of three experiments at P < 0.05 and in all three experiments at P < 0.10. Combining P-Ca with the first application of GA4+7 as a tank mix generally reduced scarf skin as effectively as applying P-Ca and the first GA4+7 spray two days apart, although in one experiment, greater scarf skin control was achieved when P-Ca was applied 2 days after the first GA4+7 spray. A single application of P-Ca at PF consistently reduced, and three applications of GA4+7 consistently increased, mean fruit weight at harvest compared with the control. The economic benefits as a result of reducing scarf skin severity with P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays will need to be balanced against the negative effect of P-Ca on mean fruit weight. There is no antagonism between early season P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays for scarf skin control, and P-Ca may increase the efficacy of GA4+7 sprays for scarf skin control in apple.

This paper summarizes the results of several years’ experiences with prohexadione-Ca (ProCa) in pear and apple. ProCa was applied to optimize vegetative/reproductive performances and to induce resistance to diseases and pests. The experiments were mainly carried out in the Po Valley area (Emilia-Romagna, Italy). ProCa controlled shoot growth and positively affected, in most of the trials, yield and fruit quality. ProCa also induced resistance against apple scab and fire blight under controlled as well as orchard conditions

Experiments to test the effectiveness of prohexadione–Ca as a growth inhibitor in apple trees have been carried out for 3 years in the Middle Ebro Valley (Spain). Also, effects on fruit quality and flower initiation were evaluated. The application of 100–400 mg l −1 of prohexadione–Ca between 12 and 30 days after full bloom (DAFB) to ‘Smoothee Golden Delicious’/M9 apple trees resulted in the inhibition of shoot growth, the effect increasing with concentration, and a greater inhibition was obtained when the trees were first sprayed 12–20 DAFB. A second spray was usually needed to avoid a regrowth of the shoots. The effectiveness of the second application was related to the concentration applied and the date of the first spray. The relative increase in trunk-cross-sectional area was not affected by the growth inhibitor. No negative effects on yield and fruit quality were found except for a reduction of soluble solid content. Flower initiation in the following year was not affected. Concentrations of 100–200 mg l −1 applied shortly after full bloom should be recommended, bearing in mind that a second application might be necessary 6–8 weeks later.

Prohexadione-Ca (P-Ca) and ethephon (ETH) were evaluated as potential inhibitors of growth and promoters of early flowering for high density orchard management of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees on vigorous rootstocks. Single applications (P-Ca at 125 to 250 mg·L-1 active ingredient (a.i.) or ETH at 175 to 200 mg·L-1 a.i.) to young, nonfruiting sweet cherry trees produced short-term, generally transient reductions in terminal shoot elongation, and did not stimulate flower bud formation. Tank-mix applications (P-Ca + ETH) usually produced a stronger, possibly synergistic, reduction in shoot growth rate. Single tank-mix applications either increased subsequent flower bud density on previous season shoots or had no effect; when a second application was made three weeks later to the same trees, subsequent flower bud density on previous season shoots and spurs on older wood increased ≈3-fold over untreated trees. Yield efficiency (g·cm2 trunk cross-sectional area) also increased nearly 3-fold. Chemical names used: (2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid (ethephon); calcium 3-oxido-4-propionyl-5-oxo-3-cyclohexene carboxylate (prohexadione-Ca); polyoxyethylene polypropoxypropanol, dihydroxypropane, 2-butoxyethanol (Regulaid); aliphatic polycarboxylate, calcium (Tri-Fol).

To increase calcium content in apple fruit a trial was carried out for two years spraying commercial crystalline calcium chloride and two locally sold liquid calcium products. Furthermore two prohexadione-Ca treatments after full bloom were combined with later calcium chloride sprays. Also a new surfactant added to calcium chloride was supposed to increase the calcium uptake. All calcium chloride sprays increased the calcium content in ‘Boskoop’ and ‘Elstar’ apples compared to the unsprayed control. The best treatment in both years and both cultivars was 10 kg calcium chloride in 500 L/ha sprayed every two weeks after June drop until harvest. This treatment increased the calcium content in ‘Boskoop’ or ‘Elstar’ apples on an average by 29% or 18%, respectively. Nearly the same effect had the pre-treatment with prohexadione-Ca. The surfactant added to the calcium chloride treatment decreased the calcium content in fruits whereas the two liquid calcium formulations showed no significant effects on the calcium content compared to the untreated control. Calcium chloride sprays caused leaf injury but only single leaves were affected and no increase of fruit russetting was observed. Considering this fact and the positive effects of the calcium chloride sprays on the calcium content in apples, leaf injury should be accepted by apple growers.

SummaryPotted M.26 apple (Mahis domestica) liners were treated with the gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor prohexadione-Ca (Apogee®) at 0 to 500 mg l”1 as a foliar spray. Apogee inhibited stem elongation, leaf formation, total leaf area and shoot dry weight, while significantly increasing specific leaf weight, root dry weight and root: shoot ratio, regardless of rate. Foliar application of gibberellin A4+7 (GA4+7) at 200 mg l”1 to Apogee-treated plants one day later reversed these effects, especially stem elongation, root dry-matter production and root: shoot ratio. Apogee increased N concentration in stems but not in leaves and roots. There was no effect on the pattern of N allocation amongst organs. GA4+7 increased leaf N concentration but decreased stem and root N concentrations compared with untreated controls, with N allocation shifting from roots to stem. Total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC), expressed either on a concentration or content basis, increased in all parts of the Apogee-treated plants...

Made available in DSpace on 2021-07-14T10:41:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-12. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2021-07-14T11:36:12Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452011000400001.pdf: 500962 bytes, checksum: b497273c59ecb2ea47293f3cf265c2d7 (MD5) O paclobutrazol é utilizado para o manejo da produção de manga na maioria dos pomares, com aplicação no solo, o que contribui para a maior persistência no ambiente. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de reguladores de crescimento vegetal aplicado via foliar, prohexadione-Ca, etil-trinexapac e cloreto de chlormequat, e via solo, paclobutrazol, no controle da brotação vegetativa e na floração de mangueiras 'Kent'. O experimento foi conduzido na região do Vale do São Francisco, em Petrolina-PE, no período de dezembro de 2007 a julho de 2008, em mangueiras cultivadas no espaçamento de 8 m nas entrelinhas e 5 m entre plantas. Foram avaliados os efeitos dos tratamentos com reguladores vegetais aplicados via foliar e via solo, com relação ao vigor (número, comprimento e número de folhas dos novos fluxos vegetativos) e à floração (percentagem e comprimento das panículas). Verificou-se que o tratamento com paclobutrazol, combinado com o prohexadione-Ca, foi mais eficiente no controle do crescimento vegetativo dos ramos da mangueira 'Kent', mas não com relação à floração, em que não foram observadas diferenças siginificativas entre os tratamentos. Paclobutrazol applied to the soil is used for the production management of mangoes in most of the orchards, but it presents as disadvantage the greater persistence in plant and soil. Three growth regulators (prohexadione-Ca, trinexapac-ethyl and chlormequat chloride) were foliar applied, at two dosages and compared to paclobutrazol applied as soil-drench. The experiment was conducted in the region of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, PE, from December 2007 to July 2008, in a mango orchard that has a spacing of 8 m between lines and 5 m between plants. In order to compare the effects of the treatment, data were evaluated regarding to vegetative growth (number, length and leaf number of vegetative branches) and flowering (percentage and panicles length). The combination of PBZ, soil applied with ProCa, foliar applied was the most efficient in controlling vegetative growth of branches of the mango 'Kent', but not regarding to flowering, where there were no differences between treatments. Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Botânica Embrapa, Semiárido Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Botânica

Prohexadione-Ca is a plant bioregulator that is primarily used to inhibit excessive vegetative growth in fruit trees and other crop plants. Additionally, effects on the incidence of bacterial and fungal diseases and on insect pests are often observed. Further, the compound may reduce abortion of fruitlets thereby increasing fruit set. Prohexadione-Ca is relatively short-lived and possesses very favorable toxicological and ecotoxicological features. The compound acts as a structural mimic of 2-oxoglutaric acid. Therefore, distinct dioxygenases involved in gibberellin biosynthesis, which require this compound as a co-substrate, are blocked (e.g. GA20 3ß-hydroxylase). As a result, less growth-active gibberellins are formed and treated plants remain compact. 2-Oxoglutaric acid-dependent dioxygenases are also involved in flavonoid metabolism. In shoots of apples and pears, prohexadione-Ca causes considerable changes in the formation of flavonoids and their phenolic precursors by inhibiting flavanone 3-hydroxylase. Prohexadione-Ca triggers pathogen resistance by inducing the formation of 3-deoxyflavonoids, in particular luteoforol, with phytoalexin-like properties. A similar mechanism may explain the lowered incidence of insect pests. Finally, treatments with prohexadione-Ca lead to reduced ethylene formation. This is due to structural similarities with ascorbic acid, the co-substrate of aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid oxidase, another dioxygenase, which is involved in ethylene biosynthesis. Lowered ethylene levels explain increases in fruit set

Due to the lack of effective and non-phytotoxic materials for control of the blossom and shoot blight phase of fire blight in pome fruit trees, two novel control strategies have emerged: shoot growth retardation by bioregulators and applying resistance inducer compounds. Prohexadione calcium (ProCa) is the active ingredient of the bioregulator Regalis® registered in several European countries. The reduction of shoot growth elongation is the most obvious effect of ProCa. Furthermore, it causes significant changes in the spectrum of flavonoids and their phenolic precursors, leading to the considerable reduction of susceptibility to fire blight. In Poland, potted one-year-old apple trees of cvs. Gala Must grafted on M.26 and Sampion on M.9 (in 2001) as well as Gala Must on P.60 (in 2002) were treated with Regalis® at a range of concentration of 250, 150 or 150 + 100 ppm, respectively. The inoculation of shoots was made with the strain No.691 of E. amylovora (107 cfu/ml), on the 7th and 21st'day after treatments with Regalis. In Hungary, during the years of 2002 and 2003 one-year-old container grown apple trees of the cvs. Idared/M.9 and Freedom/M.9 were treated with the prohexadione-Ca, the active ingredient of Regalis® 100, 150 or 200 ppm, two weeks before inoculation with the Ea 1 strain of E. amylovora (107 cfu/m1). In Poland, the suppression of fire blight in shoots reached up to 80%, depending on concentration and application time of Regalis®. In Hungary, the effect of prohexadione-Ca treatments, determined by the length of necrotic lesion developed, proved to be better than that of streptomycin used for comparison.

Prohexadione-Ca (ProCa) is a relatively new plant growth regulator (PGR) that inhibits internode length in rice, small grains, and fruit trees. However, little is known about its efficacy and potential phytotoxicity on floriculture crops and how it compares to other commercially available PGR chemicals. The effects of two foliar spray applications (2 weeks apart) of ProCa (500, 1000, or 2000 ppm), paclobutrazol (30 ppm), or a tank mix of daminozide plus chlormequat (2500 and 1000 ppm, respectively) were quantified on Dianthus barbatus L. `Interspecific Dynasty Red', Ageratina altissima R. King & H. Robinson (Eupatorium rugosum) `Chocolate', Lilium longiflorum Thunb. `Fangio', and Buddleia davidii Franch. `Mixed.' All plants were forced in a glass-glazed greenhouse with a constant temperature setpoint of 20 °C under a 16-h photoperiod. Two weeks after the second spray application of ProCa at 500, 1000, or 2000 ppm, plant height of Dianthus and Lilium was shorter than control plants by 56%, 60%, and 65% and by 6%, 26%, and 28%, respectively. However, ProCa bleached and reduced the size of Dianthus flowers. ProCa at 2000 ppm and daminozide plus chlormequat were effective at controlling the height of Eupatorium (64% and 53% reduction, respectively); however, leaves of Eupatorium were discolored and showed symptoms of phytotoxicity 1 week after the first ProCa application. Only daminozide plus chlormequat were effective on Buddleia. ProCa is an effective PGR for most of the crops we tested; however, its discoloration of red flowers and foliage may limit its application for commercial use.

Prohexadione-Ca (BAS 125 W) is currently developed as an inhibitor of excessive vegetative growth in apple. In addition to the control of shoot growth, pronounced effects on the incidence of scab (Venturia inaequalis) and fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) are observed that are not due to any fungicidal or bactericidal effect of the compound. Prohexadione-Ca induces marked changes in the metabolism of phenylpropanoids most likely by inhibiting distinct dioxygenases, such as flavanone 3-hydroxylase, which require 2-oxoglutarate as a co-substrate. The content of flavonoids such as luteoliflavan (which does not normally occur in apple tissue) and eriodyctiol is drastically increased reaching levels in the range of 50 mg per gram of dried young shoot tissue. Simple phenols, the identity of which is still unknown, also undergo intense changes. Since phenylpropanoids have often been found to be involved in defense mechanisms of higher plants, further studies on their role in pathogen resistance in apple are justified from these results.

In 2004, at full bloom, 3-year-old `Cameo'/G.16, `Gala'/M.9 NA-KBT337, `Gala'/G.16, and `Redmax'/B.9 apple trees were treated with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA, 1.5% in latex paint) in a 7.5-cm band completely around the central leader at the base of 2-year-old wood. NAA treatment reduced 2004 extension growth of the central leader by 14% and total shoot growth above the treatment area by 32%. `Cameo'/G.16 trees also were sprayed with prohexadione-Ca (250 ppm with surfactant and water conditioner) at full bloom, and additional trees were sprayed with ethephon (500 ppm with surfactant) 1 week after full bloom. These spray treatments were made only to the stems and foliage from the base of the central leader's 2-year-old wood to the top of the canopy. Ethephon reduced total shoot growth in 2004 by 26%, and prohexadione-Ca reduced it by 63%. Prohexadione-Ca also reduced fruit set of `Cameo' in 2004. Scoring (single knife cut completely around the circumference of the trunk) at the base of the 2-year-old wood in the `Cameo' trees resulted in a 23% reduction in leader growth and a 22% in totals shoot growth in the upper canopy in 2004. In 2005 at full bloom, 4-year-old `Golden Delicous'/B.9 trees were treated with NAA similarly to trees in 2004, except treatment at the base of 2-year-old wood was compared to treatment at the base of 1-year-old wood. Treating the base of 1-year-old wood reduced growth to a greater degree than comparable treatment at the base of 2-year-old wood. For the 1- and 2-year-old-wood treatments, the number of laterals produced from the 1-year-old wood was reduced 42% and 17%, and total shoot growth from 1-year-old wood was reduced by 49% and 31%, respectively.

APOGEE and REGALIS have recently been introduced in a number of countries for use in pome and other fruit trees. These products contain 27.5% and 10% of prohexadione-Ca (ProCa), respectively. As a result of inhibiting excessive vegetative growth, less summer and dormant pruning is required, the ratio between vegetative growth and fruit formation is improved, and crop protection is facilitated due to the reduction of tree row volume and a more open canopy. Additionally, a lowered incidence of diseases such as fire blight and scab is observed, which is not due to a direct bactericidal or fungicidal effect of the compound. Further, the compound may reduce fruit drop early in the season. Prohexadione is a structural mimic of 2-oxoglutaric and ascorbic acid. Therefore, distinct dioxygenases are blocked, which require these compounds as a co-substrate. Such enzymes catalyze late steps in gibberellin biosynthesis. After treatment with ProCa, less growth-active gibberellins are formed and treated plants remain more compact. ProCa also affects ACC oxidase, another dioxygenase. The resulting reduction of ethylene formation, in addition to the availability of more assimilates for fruit growth, is most likely the cause of reduced fruit drop. 2-Oxoglutaric acid-dependent dioxygenases are also involved in the metabolism of flavonoids and their phenolic precursors: In shoots of apples and pears, ProCa causes considerable changes by inhibiting flavanone 3-hydroxylase. Convincing evidence is now available that ProCa triggers pathogen resistance by inducing the formation of 3-deoxyflavonoids, in particular luteoforol, with phytoalexin-like properties. Morphoregulatory effects caused by ProCa are only of secondary relevance for the reduction of disease incidence.

Our previous work on modifying strawberry plant morphology used either mowing to remove the leaf laminas and part of the petioles on `Camarosa', or a new reduced-risk gibberellin synthesis inhibitor, Prohexadione-Ca (ProCa), to restrict cell elongation in `Sweet Charlie'. These early studies showed promising results in acheiving desirable plant size and increasing fruit yield in annual hill plasticulture. Therefore, in the growing seasons of 2001 and 2002, we used `Camarosa' to explore the possibility of combining mowing and ProCa as a means of modifying strawberry transplant morphology in the nurseries, and studied its effect on fruit production in annual hill plasticulture. Plants were mowed and treated with 62.5 μL·L-1 of ProCa in a nursery field in Nova Scotia (45°26'N, 63°27'W). Treatments consisted of either mowing, the application of ProCa, or a combination of mowing and ProCa on one of two dates, 5 or 19 Sept. ProCa application early in the growing season had increased the production of daughter plants in the nursery. All plants were harvested in early October, and immediately transplanted in Dover, Fla. (28°00'N, 82°22'W). Fruits were collected twice weekly from late November to February or March. At time of harvest, both mowing and ProCa reduced plant height and total leaf area; plants which were treated with ProCa and mowed were the shortest. On average, treated plants had higher fruit yield as compared to untreated plants. In 2001, early fruit production in December was increased significantly in treated plants.

Prohexadione-Ca (BAS 125 W) is a new growth retardant for the inhibition of excessive vegetative growth in apple and other plant species. From work with enzyme preparations, it is known that prohexadione-Ca mimics 2-oxoglutaric acid, the co-substrate of dioxygenases, which catalyze late steps in gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis. As a result, the formation of growth-active GAs is reduced. In order to have a better understanding of its effects in intact plants, we have analyzed the GA status of treated and untreated apple plantlets. In a typical experiment, the following results were obtained: Plants (cv. Jonagold on M9 at 19 cm of new shoot growth) were sprayed until run-off with an aqueous preparation containing 25 ppm of active ingredient. After 22 days of cultivation under greenhouse conditions, total new shoot growth of the controls and the treated plants was 55 cm and 44 cm, respectively. In the apical part of this material the following GAs (roughly ordered in biosynthetic sequence) were detected at the following levels (control/treated in microgram per kilogram dry weight): GA19 (31/62), GA29 (24/36), GA20 (11/20), GA1 (4/3), and GA8 (8/3). These results clearly demonstrate that prohexadione-Ca blocks primarily the hydroxylation of GA20 into GA1. This leads to reduced levels of the highly active GA1 and of GA8, its inactive metabolite, whereas GA20 and the other inactive precursors accumulate. The data support older observations obtained in vitro, which indicate that GA20 3β-hydroxylase and related dioxygenases are the primary targets of prohexadione-Ca and similar compounds.

Many trials have demonstrated that apple and pear trees treated with the plant growth regulator prohexadione-Ca (BAS 125 W) are less susceptible to infestation by the bacterial disease fire blight. In further investigations we have studied the effect of this compound against fungal diseases, concentrating on scab (Venturia inaequalis) in apple. Working with apple seedlings and artificial inoculation under greenhouse and field-like conditions, scab infestation could be reduced by applications of prohexadione-Ca. Whereas this effect was rather marginal if inoculations were made shortly after treatment, highly significant effects were found in the time span of ≈1 to 4 weeks after application. Preliminary results from trials conducted under orchard conditions support these findings. We assume that, similar to the situation with fire blight, changes in phenylpropanoid metabolism are mainly responsible for the reduced scab incidence. It should not be ruled out, however, that anatomical and morphological changes caused by prohexadione-Ca may also contribute to this effect.

Prohexadione-Ca (BAS 12511W or Apogee™ Plant Growth Regulator) acts within a plant by blocking the biosynthesis of growth-active gibberellin. The result is decreased cell and shoot elongation; thus, vegetative growth in apple trees can be reduced. Air blast applications of prohexadione calcium were made in the Spring 1998 in commercial orchards. Application rate was 125 ppm a.i. applied twice beginning at 5 to 12 cm of new shoot growth. Reduction of shoot growth averaged 45% across locations. As a result of reduced vegetative growth, dormant pruning was reduced. In total, significant benefits to the grower included reduced pruning costs in addition to other positive effects such as improved light penetration and enhanced resistance to some pathogens. Research will continue with the effect of prohexadione-Ca on pruning in multiple year studies.

As in other countries, pear production in Italy requires an efficient control of excessive shoot growth. Chlormequat chloride, the only available plant growth regulator, does not necessarily represent the ideal solution because it requires high dosages, thus posing the risk of residues in fruit. Fire blight, which has invaded Italy in at the beginning of 1990, is of great concern because `Abate Fetel', one of the predominant cultivars, is highly susceptible and no preparations for control are currently available. To evaluate solutions for both aspects, prohexadione-Ca (BAS 125 11 W) has been tested on pears under growth chamber and orchard conditions. In each case, reductions of shoot growth and, if present, lowered incidences of fire blight could be achieved. Six-year-old trees of `Abate Fetel', located in an area with high fire-blight infestation pressure, were sprayed with prohexadione-Ca four times each at either 50 or 100 ppm of active ingredient at a new shoot length of 6, 12, 33, and 45 cm. The resulting final shoot length was 96% and 75%, respectively, of the control, whereas an average of 15 fire blight incidences could be found in the controls. This number was reduced to 8 and 4, respectively, in the treated trees. Fruit yield and quality was not affected.