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Abstract
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the Ethephon effect on the vegetative and reprodutive development of watermelon plants 32 days after sowing. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in Anhembi, SP, Brazil. Plants with 6 leaves were treated with an ethephon water solution of 0, 400, 800, 1600 or 2400 mg.L-1, plus Extravon 0.05% (alquil phenol poliglicoleter). The applications were made in the morning, with air RH (%) 50-60 and temperature less than 30ºC. The results showed that 7 days after application (DAT), Ethephon affected the development of lateral shoots at the concentrations of 800, 1600 and 2400 mg.L-1, delaying the appearance of male and female flowers, and the highest concentration promoted shoot apex death. At 28 D.A.T., plants showed new lateral shoots, including the appearance of male and female flowers, in lower numbers as compared to the control. The lowest concentration promoted a delay in flowering and in the development cycle, but had a good commercial yield. The other concentrations did not present any commercial yield.Downloads
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Copyright (c) 2000 Marcio Christian Serpa Domingues, Elizabeth Orika Ono, João Domingos Rodrigues
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