Abstract
Applications of nitrogen (N), selected plant growth regulators, and soil moisture stress were used to delay bloom in 'Redglobe' peaches. Correlations between delayed bloom and levels of abscisic acid (ABA), carbohydrates (CHO), and N in peach buds during the dormancy period for 1973-74 and 1974-75 were attempted. Soil applications of 67 to 134 kg N/ha delayed bloom progressively from 18 to 72 hr when compared to trees receiving no N. Buds from late blooming trees that received high levels of soil-applied N had high levels of ABA and N and low levels of CHO. Trees receiving no soil-applied N had low levels of ABA and N and high levels of CHO in the buds. High ABA concentrations in buds from late blooming trees as a result of soil-applied N appeared to be directly related to tree vigor during the previous growing season. Bloom was delayed from 18-72 hr as a result of artificially induced stress from September to December and from September to March. Delayed bloom was associated with high levels of ABA in buds from both soil moisture stress treatments. Consistently high ABA peaks in January occurred in response to moisture stress. Moisture stress from September to March increased CHO levels in buds while moisture stress from September to December had little effects on CHO levels. Moisture stress had no effect on N levels in buds.
Reeder, Bobby Donald (1977). Effect of cultural practices and plant growth regulator applications on bloom delay of peach, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -358262.