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This study was conducted to determine the effects of benzyladenine (BA) and BA plus gibberellin (GA) treatments on fruit size and quality of 'Akca' pear (Pyrus communis), a low yielding and a small fruited summer variety. Pear trees were sprayed to run off 14 d after full bloom with BA (50,100 and 150 ppm) or BA+GA(4+7) (concentrations of each chemical; 12.5, 25, and 50 ppm). Fruits were harvested and evaluated in terms of fruit size and quality parameters. Higher concentrations of BA+GA(4+7) (25 and 50 ppm) and the medium concentration of BA (100 ppm) increased fruit weight, fruit diameter and fruit length. The highest fruit weights and the highest fruit lengths were obtained from 25 ppm BA+GA(4+7) and 50 ppm BA+GA(4+7) treatments. Compared to weight of control fruit (48.85 g), 25 ppm BA+GA(4+7). applications resulted in a 20.2% increase in fruit weight (58.71 g). 'Akca' pear showed different responses to BA and BA + GA(4+7), applications. In 25 and 50 ppm BA + GA(4+7), treatments, the increases in fruit weight were accompanied by heavy reductions in yield (54.3% and 59.9%, respectively), while in 100 ppm BA application fruit size of 'Akca' pear was significantly improved (11.3%) with no influence on yield. Fruits treated with 25 ppm and 50 ppm BA+GA(4+7). and 100 ppm BA had higher pedicel lengths than the control. Plant growth regulator (PGR) treated fruit had higher soluble solid content (SSC) than the untreated fruit. Treatments did not affect fruit pH. Higher rates of BA and BA+GA(4+7), resulted in fruit that were darker, greener and less yellow. In conclusion, BA at 100 ppm can be a suitable tool for increasing fruit quality and size of low cropping and small fruited summer pears, with no negative influence on yield and fruit shape. |
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