Effect of growth regulators on African pear (Dacryodes Edulis (G. don) H.J. Lam) flowering, fruiting and fruit set

Abstract

Many tropical fruit trees flower profusely. Majority produce many fruits at the onset. Most of these fruits if not all, may be aborted. African pear is a typical example. In this research, four fruit abortion-prevention treatments were evaluated namely: Distilled water, Urea,  Giberellin and Coconut water. Floral and pomological parameters were compared and averaged over a period of three consecutive years. At fruit maturity, number of fruits/inflorescence/branches was counted and compared to test the effects of the various treatments on fruit retention and enhancing its pomological characteristics. The design was Randomized complete block design. Regression and correlation in Statgraphic 16.0 software package were used to compare the effects of the various treatments on flowering, fruiting and fruit retention. Application of growth regulators significantly enhanced flowering, fruiting and fruit set. The best fruit retention of 76.56 % was obtained by Coconut water which was however, not significantly (P=0.05) different from 72.75% fruit set obtained by Giberellin. Distilled water gave the lowest fruit-set of 21.41 % which was however significantly (P=0.05) different from 66.48% obtained by Urea. There was no significant  difference (P=0.05) in some of the pomological attributes measured. Application of Giberellin and Coconut water significantly (P=0.05) enhanced flowering, fruiting and fruitset in African pear.