Cytokinin- and Auxin-Based Plant Growth Regulators Enhance Cell Expansion, Yield Performance, and Fruit Quality in ‘Maxi Gala’ Apple Fruits in Southern Brazil

Sabrina Baldissera, Alex Felix Dias, Joel de Castro Ribeiro, Renaldo Borges de Andrade Júnior, Bruno Pirolli, Euvaldo de Sousa Costa Júnior, Poliana Francescatto, Polliana D’Angelo Rios, Daiana Petry Rufato, Amauri Bogo () and Leo Rufato
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Sabrina Baldissera: Crop Production Graduate Program, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Alex Felix Dias: Crop Production Graduate Program, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Joel de Castro Ribeiro: Crop Production Graduate Program, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Renaldo Borges de Andrade Júnior: Crop Production Graduate Program, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Bruno Pirolli: Crop Production Graduate Program, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Euvaldo de Sousa Costa Júnior: Soil Science Graduate Program, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Poliana Francescatto: Department of Environmental Engineering, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Polliana D’Angelo Rios: Department of Environmental Engineering, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Daiana Petry Rufato: Department of Environmental Engineering, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Amauri Bogo: Crop Production Graduate Program, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil
Leo Rufato: Crop Production Graduate Program, Santa Catarina State University/UDESC, Avenida Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages CEP 88520-000, SC, Brazil

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: Cytokinin- and Auxin-Based Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) are commonly employed to increase fruit size due to their ability to modulate cellular structure. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different PGR application protocols on histological parameters, yield components, and fruit quality in ‘Maxi Gala’ apple. The experiments were carried out under humid subtropical conditions of southern Brazil across two growing seasons (2021/22 and 2022/23), allowing comparison of treatment performance under distinct climatic patterns. Data from common treatments were combined across years for integrated analysis. The PGRs used included 6-benzyladenine (BA) as a cytokinin source; naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) as an auxin source; and tryptophan, a precursor of auxin biosynthesis. PGRs were applied in various combinations and concentrations between 10 days after dormancy break (BBCH 01) and fruit diameters of 25–27 mm (BBCH 74), following a randomized block design with four replicates of twelve trees each. The multivariate analysis of treatments was performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Additionally, an analysis of variance was performed for flesh firmness loss, with means compared using Tukey’s test ( p < 0.05). PGRs significantly influenced only the histological parameters of the fruit flesh tissues. BA and tryptophan had the greatest effects on cell size and cell number in the fruit flesh, respectively, both reducing intercellular spaces. Tryptophan was associated with a higher number of smaller cells, whereas NAA promoted larger cell sizes. The combination of BA and NAA, as well as a single application of BA at petal fall, resulted in the highest yield performances and increased the proportion of large fruits. Furthermore, BA enhanced the percentage of red skin coloration and improved flesh firmness during storage.

Keywords: Malus domestica Borkh; cell division; fruit caliper and quality; 6-benzyladenine; naphthaleneacetic acid; tryptophan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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