Some Effects of Gibberellins A4+7 plus Benzyladenine on Fruit Weight, Shape, Quality, Ca Content, and Storage Behavior of ‘Spartan’ Apple1

Fruits on individual spurs, on branch units, and on whole ‘Spartan’ apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.) trees treated with a proprietary mixture of gibberellins A 4 + A 7 plus benzyladenine (GA 4+7 plus BA) were generally heavier and longer than untreated fruits in 2 seasons. The principle effect of treatments applied at first petal fall (FPF) was an increase in the fruit length/diameter (L/D) ratio. Treatments applied 3 days to 5 weeks after FPF increased fruit weight and enhanced the L/D ratio. Ca concentration was reduced by the treatments which enhanced fruit weight and the incidence of ‘Spartan’ breakdown was increased. Fruit firmness and soluble solids were unaltered by the GA 4+7 plus BA treatments. Fruit acidity was reduced in one experiment.