Impact of 24- Epibrassinolide on Some Quantitative Parametrs of Peach Fruit Cv.  Alberta'

Iran is one of the main producers of peach fruit, therefore increasing fruit quality and quantity is important. It has been reported that brassinosteroids are able to improve yield and quality of fruits. In present research, the impact of foliar spray of peach plants cv. ‘Alberta’ with 24- epibrassinolide (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1 μM EBL) at two stages namely; before flower opening, after fruit set and the combination of two stages was studied on fruit number, diameter and weight, stone length, diameter, weight and the ratio of fruit weight to stone weight, leaf chlorophylls, ion leakage and fruit yield. Compared with control, 1 μM EBL applied before flower opening increased leaf chlorophyll, fruit number, length, diameter and also stone length, diameter and weight and fruit yield. All treatments applied reduced leaf ion leakage. However, it is concluded that EBL applied before flowering is able to reduce flower and fruit abscission whenever needed.