Gibberellins A4/7, 6-Benzylaminopurine and Prohexadione Calcium Modify Growth, Development and Quality of Raspberry

Abstract

Objectives: Currently, Mexico is the second-largest producer of red raspberries in the world. A steady increase in consumption, quality demands from the international market and its high value call for practices that can enhance production and quality of this crop. A viable option is the use of bioregulators, and this study evaluated the effects of prohexadione calcium (P-Ca), gibberellins A4/7 (GA4/7) and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) on the growth, development and quality of raspberry cv. UANC-2022. Study Design: The study was set up under a completely randomized block design with a 4x3 factorial arrangement. The first factor was the bioregulators used (P-Ca, GA4/7, 6-BAP and the combination of GA4/7+6-BAP) and the second factor was the number of applications. Location and Duration of the Study: Conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, in Saltillo, Mexico, during the period March to October 2022. Methodology: Treatment applications were carried out at three specific times during the growing cycle, with a first application made one day after pruning (DAP), the second at 48 DAP and the third at 70 DAP. All treatments were applied to the foliage. Results: P-Ca temporarily reduced lateral shoot growth (LSG), improved reproductive development and yield, and increased fruit quality. GA4/7 promoted LSG, reproductive development, yield, and improved fruit quality. 6-BAP enhanced fruit quality. The combination of GA4/7+6-BAP increased LSG in the early weeks and improved fruit quality. Conclusion: The bioregulators GA4/7, 6-BAP and P-Ca bring targeted benefits to growth, development and fruit quality, making them a viable management practice that can be implemented in the production of raspberries.