Increase of bud sprouting in apple cv. Maxi gala with sequential application of bud breaking

Abstract

The objective of the work was to verify the effect of reapplying bud breakers on flowering, sprouting and production of the 'Maxi Gala' apple tree. The experiment was carried out in an experimental orchard located in the municipality of Caçador, during the cycles from 2016/2017 to 2019/2020. The treatments were applied at phenological stages B and C, and those with reapplication, from 7 to 14 days after the first application. Phenology was evaluated, budding of axillary and terminal buds, effective fruiting, production per plant and average fruit mass. The treatments applied in stage B provided a greater advance phenological events in relation to the applications in stage C. All treatments were superior to the control treatment in the four years evaluated for the sprouting of axillary and terminal buds. In some cycles, the sequential application of bud breakers increased the budding of axillary and terminal buds in relation to the standard treatment, of a single application. The fruit set of treatments with sequential application of bud breakers was not reduced compared to treatment with a single application. Some treatments with reapplication improved the productivity of the apple trees. On average, the reapplication of bud breakers increased the average fruit mass.