Research has shown that the relationship between fruit number and fruit size influences yield and fruit quality. The aim of this work was to evaluate mandarin 'Ponkan' fruits' growth when submitted chemical thinning with the application of ethephon. The plants were sprayed with five ethephon concentrations (0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 mg L-1), at two fruit development stages (30 e 40 mm of cross diameter). Four shoots in each quadrant with a single fruit were chosen per plant. In this fruit, growth was to evaluate through the cross diameter. Production of larger fruits was favored by chemical thinning with ethephon application. Ethephon concentrations above 300 mg L-1 were more effective for thinning of 'Ponkan' mandarin under the conditions studied. Thinning carried out at the 40-mm stage provided fruits of higher diameter.
Citrus reticulata Blanco; ethephon; fruit size; management; phytoregulators
