Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ph. D. Student, University Campus, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
2
Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
10.30466/rip.2023.121286
Abstract
Environmental conditions and vineyard management practices strongly influence budbreak, flowering, and fruit yield. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of soil application of seaweed extract and potassium sulfate on budbreak and flowering of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit. Treatments included the application of 7.5 g seaweed extract per vine either two or four weeks before budbreak, and 150 g potassium sulfate per vine applied two, four, or eight weeks before budbreak. The results showed that application of seaweed extract two weeks before budbreak significantly increased budbreak (54%) compared with the control (39%). Furthermore, in this treatment, 84% of broken buds developed into flowering shoots. The highest mean number of flowers (1.63) and king flowers (1.53) per winter bud were also observed in the seaweed treatment applied two weeks before budbreak, whereas the control had the lowest values (0.79 flowers and 0.72 king flowers per winter bud). Although the application of potassium sulfate two weeks before budbreak increased the percentage of budbreak, most of the broken buds developed into vegetative shoots. Earlier application of potassium sulfate increased the mean number of flowers, king flowers per winter bud, and flowering shoots; however, it also resulted in a higher incidence of lateral flowers. Overall, soil application of seaweed extract, particularly shortly before budbreak, significantly enhanced flowering and has the potential to increase productivity in ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit vineyards.
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