THE USE OF GROWTH-REGULATING CHEMICALS TO INDUCE PARTHENOCARPIC FRUIT IN THE CALIMYRNA FIG

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Abstract
Aqueous sprays containing indolebutyric acid at concns. of 1500 and 2670 ppm., and an oil emulsion spray containing 2670 ppm. of indolebutyric acid, resulted in parthenocarpic fruit set of the Calimyrna fig that was equal to or better than the caprified (pollinated) control. This var. requires cross-pollination in order for the syconia to set and mature. Neither naphthoxyacetic nor 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acids were effective in prompting parthenocarpy. No foliage injury resulted from applications of the latter materials but indolebutyric acid caused moderate curling and chlorosis which persisted throughout the season. A higher percentage of figs was set when treatments were made about the middle of the caprification period than when they were made either at the beginning or toward the end of this period. The injn. of these growth regulators through the ostioles and into the cavities of figs produced no consistent parthenocarpic development. However, some figs treated in this manner reached full maturity 12 days after treatment, as compared to approx. 80 days for caprified and 95 days for parthenocarpic figs induced through spraying. Parthenocarpic figs were not markedly different from caprified fruits as regards color, size, shape, flavor, and sugar content, but they were completely seedless with no sclerification of the ovary walls.

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