Evaluation of Concentration and Time of Application of Gibberellic Acid and 2,4-D Isopropyl Ester on Some Fruit Characteristics in Navel Oranges and Clementine Mandarin

Navel oranges and Clementine mandarin are classified as early cultivars and when fruits are left on the trees, fruit firmness and juice content will decrease. Plant growth regulators have been used to improve fruit quality. Gibberellic acid (GA3) and 2,4-D isopropyl ester sprays were used to increase juice content ,peel firmness and delay senescence in Navel oranges and Clementine mandarin. Factorial experiments were arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replications and each block consisted of three trees. Chemicals were sprayed on the branches (north and south of each tree) with 10 liter sprayer to the point of run-off during fall of 2004 and 2005 ,in a commercial orchard in Jahrom in the south east of Fars province, Iran . In both years of study, GA3 at 100,150 and 200 mgl-l and isopropyl ester 2,4-D at 8,12 and 24 mgl-1 were sprayed on September 30 (diameter of Navel 64 mm and diameter of Clementine 46 mm), October 14 (diameter of Navel 69 mm and diameter of Clementine 48 mm ) and November 7 (diameter of Navel 70 mm and diameter of Clementine 50 mm) and fruits of Navel oranges and Clementine mandarin were harvested 45 and 35 days after last the spray treatment, respectively . The results of experiment revealed that Navel oranges responded better with second application (Oct.14, diameter 69 mm ) and Clementine mandarin with the first application (Sept.30, diameter 46 mm ). Juice content and fruit firmness at harvest increased. GA3 increased juice content even better than 2,4-D isopropyl ester but delayed senescence, 2,4-D was more effective in increasing fruit sizing in both cultivars. GA3 at 150 and 200 mgl-1 and 2,4-D at 24 mgl-1 when compared with the untreated resulted in highest juice content of fruits.