With the objective of evaluate the effect of garlic extract on dormancy breaking of apple trees, a trial was carried out in a commercial orchard of the Royal Gala and Fuji Kiku cultivars, located in Guarapuava, middle-west region of Paraná State, Brazil. The treatments were as following: T1 - control; T2 - garlic extract, and T3 - 0.45% hydrogenated cyanamide + 3% mineral oil. The applications were accomplished on September 3rd, 2004, on phenological stage of dormant bud. The evaluations of sprouted buds percentage were carried out weekly, from September 17th to October 6th 2004. For both cultivars, the best results were verified for the treatment with hydrogenated cyanamide and mineral oil (71.3%). The treatment with garlic extract also promoted dormancy breaking of 'Fuji Kiku' apple trees, with 40.6% of sprouted buds after 35 days from the applications, compared to just 18.2% of the control.
Malus domestica; sprouting; apple fruits; 'Royal Gala'; 'Fuji Kiku'
