Effects of Paclobutrazol on Vegetative and Reproductive Characteristics of Peach ( Prunus persica L.) cv. 'Kardi'.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on some vegetative and reproductive characteristics of peach cv. ‘Kardi’. The experiment was carried out as factorial based completely randomized block design with three replications. Peach trees were treated within 2 seasons (August and March) by applying various levels of PBZ (paclobutrazol) (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g a.i. per tree) as soil drench. Evaluated traits were: the density of flower on the branches (flower numbers), percentage of final fruit set, leaf chlorophyll content, average leaf area, shoot elongation, trunk radial growth and yield. Results showed that PBZ application time had a significant effect on flower density. August application of PBZ increased flower numbers on branches (flower density). Application time and amount of PBZ had significant effect on final fruit set percentage and shoot elongation. Application of PBZ in August increased final fruit set but the effect of PBZ application during March was more effective on reducing shoot elongation. The results showed that PBZ concentration had significant effect on leaf chlorophyll content, average leaf area and trunk radial growth. PBZ did not have significant effect on the yield of ‘Kardi’ peaches. Generally, the results indicated that application of PBZ during August had the greatest effect on reproductive characteristics and its application during March had the greatest effect on vegetative features.