Application of Growth-Regulating Substance in Aerosol Form, with Special Reference to Fruit-Set in Tomato

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Abstract
A recently developed aerosol method of applying growth-regulating substances to tomatoes has proved an effective means of inducing fruit-setting and in many cases, of producing seedless fruits. 4-Chlorophenoxyacetic, [beta]-naphthoxyacetic, indoleacetic, indolebutyric and [alpha]-naphthalene acetic acids differed in their capacities to induce fruit set. Of these, 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid was the most effective in setting fruit and stimulating early fruit growth, but when used at concs. > 0.01%, the treated plants developed abnormal leaves and fruits. [beta]-naphthoxyacetic acid also induced setting of seedless tomatoes when applied as an aerosol. The safest and still effective range of conc. of [beta]-naphthoxyacetic acid lies between 0.01 and 0.5%. Not all the fruits from treated flowers were seedless. Apparently their age and the amount of pollination determined to some extent the amt. of seed development, but early fruit growth was greatly stimulated. Indoleacetic, indolebutyric and [alpha]-naphthalene acetic acids were less effective than the above compounds in inducing fruit set and producing seedless fruit when applied by this aerosol method.