THE EFFECT OF PREHARVEST FOLIAGE SPRAYS OF CERTAIN GROWTH REGULATORS ON SPROUT INHIBITION AND STORAGE QUALITY OF CARROTS AND ONIONS

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Abstract
The effects of preharvest foliage sprays of several growth regulators on sprout inhibition and storage quality of Danvers, Nantes, and Chantenay carrots and Sweet Spanish onions were detd. Sprouting and root growth of onions held in a 60[degree]F storage were completely inhibited by the appln. of a water spray containing 2500 ppm. of maleic hydrazide (l,2-dihydropyridazine-3,6-dione) to the foliage 2 weeks before harvesting. Partial sprout inhibition was achieved by 500 ppm. Other chemicals either gave no significant control of sprouting or stimulated it. In some instances rotting was more prevalent than in controls. Sprout growth of carrots stored at 50[degree]F was inhibited by foliar sprays 4 days before harvest of 2500 ppm. of both maleic hydrazide and benzothiazol-2-oxyacetic acid. Maleic hydrazide did not significantly alter the amount of dry matter, carotene, carbohydrates or Kjeldahl N in stored carrots. Sprouting in carrots was also significantly reduced by foliar sprays of the Na salt of alpha-naphthtaleneacetic acid, 1000 and 5000 ppm., and 500 ppm. of either maleic hydrazide or benzo-thiazol-2-oxyacetic acid. Accompanying the use of compounds other than maleic hydrazide and to a lesser extent benzo-thiazol-2-oxyacetic acid on carrots were frequent callus formations, proliferations and other abnormalities which tended to shorten rather than prolong the storage life of both carrots and onions.

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