Open AccessCitrus Fruit Abscission Induced by Methyl-jasmonate
Author(s) -
Ulrich Hartmond,
Runyu Yuan,
J. C. Burns,
A. K. Grant,
Walter J. Kender
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of the american society for horticultural science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 2327-9788
pISSN - 0003-1062
DOI - 10.21273/jashs.125.5.547
Subject(s) - abscission , citrus × sinensis , rutaceae , orange (colour) , methyl jasmonate , horticulture , ethylene , phytotoxicity , botany , chemistry , canopy , biology , biochemistry , gene , catalysis
Methyl jasmonate (MJ) was tested as a potential abscission chemical to enhance mechanical harvest of `Hamlin' and `Valenica' orange [ Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.]. In field experiments, a solution of 1, 5, 10, 20, or 100 m m MJ was applied either as a stem wrap to individual fruit or as a spray to entire trees or canopy sectors. Solutions of 10, 20, and 100 m m MJ resulted in significant and consistent reduction of fruit detachment force and caused fruit drop within 7 to 10 days. Fruit loosening was preceded by an increase in the internal ethylene concentration of fruit similar to that of other experimental abscission compounds. While concentrations of 10 m m and less caused no or negligible phytotoxicity, solutions exceeding 10 m m MJ induced unacceptable levels of leaf abscission.