Induction of branching in nursery pear plants through benzyladenine and heading back

Abstract

The effect of benzyladenine (BA) and heading back on the development of lateral shoots in pear (cvs Patharnakh and Punjab Beauty) nursery plants was investigated. Plants were applied with BA sprays (400, 600 & 800 ppm) and heading back treatments at 60, 75 and 90 cm (control). BA 600 ppm was the most effective treatment for improving the total number of lateral shoots and crotch angle, but a higher number of laterals <50cm or >50cm/plant were recorded in BA 800 ppm treatment. BA applications significantly increased the total length of laterals, diameter of stem and mean spread of plants compared to heading back treatments. Control plants recorded maximum plant height. The plant spread and height was greater in Patharnakh plants than Punjab Beauty plants. It can be concluded that BA applications were effective to induce laterals initiations in pear nursery plants.