Effect of 3-CPA and Ethephon on Growth and Abscission of the ‘Cardinal’ Peach1

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Abstract
In central Italy neither 3-chlorophenoxy-propionamide (3-CPA) nor (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon) satisfactorily thinned ‘Cardinal’, a very early peach (Prunus persica L.), when applied in the first stage of fruit growth. Both substances reduced crop load to the degree obtained by hand-thinning. 3-CPA exhibited a delayed thinning action. Ethephon was more potent and quicker than 3-CPA in inducing abscission, but at harvest time the fruit size was smaller than hand-thinned peaches. The time course of fruit drop and the effect of ethephon on abscission of fruits of different size are discussed.

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