Kernel size and weight affected by three plant bioregulators applied at bloom to Nonpareil and Carmel almond cultivars

Abstract

Background: The yield of almonds [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] could be low due to climatic problems and any factor improving kernel size and weight, such the use of plant bioregulators (PBRs), should be beneficial.

Results: Three plant bioregulators: 24-epibrassinolide (BL), gibberellic acid (GA₃) and kinetin (KN) were applied at three spray concentrations to Non Pareil and Carmel cultivars, at two phenological stages during bloom, in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.0001). For total dry weight of Non Pareil, the best treatment was BL (30 mg L^-1), with an average of 1.45 g, while the control was 1.30 g, at pink button during 2015. For Carmel, the best dry weight was 1.23 g, achieved with BL (30 mg L^-1) at fallen petals in both seasons. The average dry weight of the controls varied between 1.13 and 1.18 g. The greatest almond lengths and widths in Non Pareil were 24.98 mm and 15.05 mm, achieved with BL (30 mg L^-1) and KN (50 µL L^-1) treatments, respectively, applied at pink button in 2015. In Carmel, the greatest length and width were 24.38 and 13.44 mm, obtained with BL (30 mg L^-1) applied at the stages of pink button and fallen petals, respectively, in 2015. The control reached lengths between 22.33 and 23.38 mm, and widths between 11.99 and 12.93 mm.

Conclusions: The use of the bioregulators showed significant favorable effects on dry weight, length and width of kernels at harvest, in both cultivars.