Pruning role and growth retardant (Cultar) in some vegetative and flowering characteristics in apricot trees cv.Zaini

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in apricot orchard ,Dep . of Horticulture , College of Agriculture , University of Baghdad ,Abu Ghraib . during the growing seasons of 2005 and 2006 . Apricot trees Prunus armeniaca L. cv.Zaini one year old were used , This study included two factors ; pruning (t) and growth retardant (Cultar) . The first factor five levels were used, without pruning (t0) , Keep four side branches distributed evenly around the tree and the dimensions of 20 - 25 cm between the branch and another on modified central leader training system (t1) , Keep four side branches distributed bunk and a distance of 40 cm between the floor and another on the palmar training system (t2) , Keep three side branches distributed evenly around the tree and the dimensions of 30 cm between the branch and another in modified central leader training system (t3) and Keep the two branches and in opposite directions and at a height of 60 cm from the surface of the earth (according to V-system) (t4) and four levels of growth retardant (Cultar) were used , 0 (pb0) , 500 mg.L (pb1) , 750 mg.L (pb2) and 1000 mg.L (pb3) . Each treatment replicated four times with a factorial experiment using RCBD. The number of trees used were 80 trees . The experimental results showed that pruning at level (t0) and growth retardant at level pb3 (t0pb3) significantly gave the highest branches content of carbohydrates of 5,95 % and the highest C/N ratio in branches of 8,8806 % and the highest percentage of floral buds / vegetative buds of 1,4575 % and highest fruit set of 8,275 % . it could be concluded of this experiment that the growth retardant at level pb3 and no pruning treatments improved vegetative and floral characteristics in apricot trees cv . Zaini .