The present trial was carried out aiming to increase fruit set of 'Monte Parnaso' (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) navel oranges budded on trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf.) rootstocks grown in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. In June 1996, seven-year-old navel orange trees were sprayed with growth regulators combined or not with girdling and fertilization. In the main plot the following treatments was conducted: (T1) Control (treatments in November); (T2) 10ppm of GA3 in August of 96 + 10ppm of GA3 in May of 97; (T3) 10ppm of GA3 in August of 96 + 10ppm of GA3 and 15ppm of 2,4-D in May of 97; (T4) T3 + 5ppm of GA3 in October of 96; (T5) T4 + [0,3% ZnSO4 + 0,15% of MnSO4 and 2% of fertilizer N-P-K (26-00-26), on October of 96]; (T6) T5 + branch girdling in October of 96. In the sub-plot, accomplished in November (20/11), they were the combinations of all treatments with: (a) 15ppm of 2,4-D; (b) branch girdling; c) 15ppm of 2,4-D + branch girdling. Of December of 96 to August of 97, the number of fallen fruits was counted by tree, and in August of 97 the number and weight of harvested fruits were assessed. The results showed that T4, T5 and T6 significantly reduced the number of dropped fruits and increased the weight and number of fruits produced.
Citrus sinensis; Growth regulator; fruit drop; fruit set
