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Dormancy dynamics of two year old buds of 'Imperial Gala' apple tree in a region of low chill occurence

This work aims to evaluate the dormancy dynamics of two year old apple tree buds with or without supplementary chill during autumn and winter, in a region of low chill occurence. The stems were collected in Porto Amazonas, Parana State, Brazil, at intervals of 21 days from April to August (April 19th, May 10th, May 31st, June 21st, July 12th, August 2nd and August 23rd) and were either treated or not with 1,440 hours of chill (4 to 7° C). The evaluation of dormancy was observed through the biological test of single node cuttings under controlled conditions (25° C and long days of 16 hours) by the following parameters: average time for budburst (TMB), velocity of budburst (VB), final rate of budburst (TF), rate of vigorous budburst (TBV) and average time for open leaves to appear (TMFA). The most intense dormancy occured on May 31st, but presented variations until August. The chilly treatment with 1,440 hours (4 to 7° C) was effective in reducing the average time for budburst. Non-dormant buds under favorable developing conditions present good growth potencial.

Malus domestica Borkh.; budburst; ecophysiology; endodormancy


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