Effect of synthetic auxin sprays on yield and double

seed incidence of almond trees, and orchard profit

under different conditions of fruit set and PAR
interception
V. Beyá-Marshall1 and T. Fichet1a
1Universidad de Chile, Fac. Ciencias Agronómicas, Santiago, Chile.*a tfichet@uchile.cl

1. INTRODUCTION Table 2. Crop load, weight of single and twin seeds, and incidence of double seeds in
Low yield is the main weakness of almond orchards in Chile, with 'Nonpareil' almond trees sprayed with different synthetic auxin treatments..
yields below 2,000 kg/ha compared to 2,500 kg/ha in California or Seed weight Double-seed
Treatment Crop load
Australia. This disparity can be attributed to adverse weather Single Double incidence
conditions that negatively impact pollination and fruit set (Beyá- fruits/m2 PARi g g %
Marshall and Reginato, 2022). In recent seasons, growers have Control 463 ± 49 0.90 ± 0.02 b 0.6 ± 0 0.5 ± 0.4
faced the challenge of small kernel size. While synthetic auxin NOA 30 mg/L 424 ± 49 0.97 ± 0.03 a 0.0 ± 0 0.0 ± 0.0
sprays have been proven to increase fruit size in various fruit trees, NOA 30 mg/L x2 475 ± 55 0.94 ± 0.03 a 0.0 ± 0 0.0 ± 0.0
their effectiveness in nut crops remains unvalidated. Thus, with the 2,4 DP 75 mg/L 452 ± 49 0.96 ± 0.03 a 0.8 ± 0,4 0.7 ± 0.4
aim of improving seed size, a study was conducted to evaluate the 2,4 DP 75 mg/L x2 423 ± 49 0.89 ± 0.01 b 1.6 ± 0 0.3 ± 0.4
effect of two synthetic auxins (2,4-DP and NOA plus 4-CPA) on NOA 40 mg/L x2 360 ± 49 0.97 ± 0.03 a 0.4 ± 0 0.7 ± 0.4
'Nonpareil' almond trees. Significance (p-value) 0.6383 0.0257 * *
CV (crop load) 0.1486
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adjusted means ± standard error. Means with different letters in the same column indicate significant differences between treatments;
DGC test (p <0.05). * No statistical analysis due to lack of replicates (replicates with no double seeds).
During the 2021-2022 season in Padre Hurtado, Chile, a trial was
conducted using 'Nonpareil' almond trees on 'Nemaguard'
rootstock. The orchard had a planting density of 6 by 4 m, drip
irrigation, and open vase training. The trees, planted in 2005,
included 50% Nonpareil, 9% Carmel, 25% Price, and 16% Fritz
varieties. Pollination was ensured using 15 hives per hectare.
To improve seed size, two synthetic auxins were sprayed at different
phenological stages during full bloom and fruit set and contrasted
with not sprayed trees (Table 1). The commercial products used
were Propulse® (Point Chile S.A.) containing two synthetic auxins, 2-
naphthyloxyacetic acid (NOA) at 20% w/w and 4-
chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA) at 2.5% w/w, and StoneGross
Plus® CE (Nufarm S.A.) containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxypropionic Figure 1. A) Yield efficiency of 'Nonpareil' almond trees. White boxes indicate the value
acid (2,4 DP) at 2.5% w/v. The adjuvant Break® (BASF Chile S.A.) was in kg/ha. Data in kg/ha were extrapolated based on an average orchard interception of
added at a concentration of 0.05% (50 mL·100 L-1) in each 74%. Columns with different letters indicate significant differences according to DGC
treatment. The sprays volume was equivalent to 1,500 L ha-1, up to (p<0.05). B) Relative (%) increase compared to the control treatment in average
the drip point. almond weight and yield efficiency.

Table 1. Synthetic auxin treatments on ‘Nonpareil’ almond trees.

Phenological stage (BBCH scale)
Treatments Full Bloom Shuck split
(65) (71)
Control
NOA 30 mg/L x
NOA 30 mg/L x2 x x
NOA 40 mg/L x2 x x
2,4 DP 75 mg/L x
2,4 DP 75 mg/L x2 x x
The yield results were integrated, and the profit of the best
treatment of each auxin was simulated under different scenarios,
according to fruit density and orchard PAR interception
(Photosynthetically active radiation intercepted; fPARi), as the main
Figure 2. Cost of the synthetic auxin spray and crop value attributed to it ($ USD/ha)
factors that determines almond orchard productivity (Beyá-Marshall
under different scenarios of fruit density and orchard PAR interception.
and Reginato, 2022; Lampinen et al., 2012). Tree size was assessed
by measuring the fPARi using a ceptometer, and the almond harvest 4. CONCLUSION
was conducted when 95% of the fruits displayed husk opening. The • Significant increases in almond size and productivity can be achieved with these
experimental design involved a randomized complete block with one synthetic auxins treatments, either with a single application of 2,4 DP at 75 mg.L-1
tree per experimental unit (five replicates), and statistical analysis or NOA at 30 mg.L-1 during full bloom (65 BBCH phenological scale), or double
was performed using Linear Mixed Models and the DGC multiple applications of 30 or 40 mg.L-1 of NOA during full bloom and shuck split (71 BBCH
comparison test (<0.05 p value). phenological scale), without increasing the incidence of double seeds.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION • Specifically, the single application of NOA at 30 mg.L-1 or 75 mg.L-1 2,4 DP during
At harvest, auxin treatments significantly increased seed size and, full bloom can generate enough increase in productivity to be profitable, even
consequently, the yield efficiency adjusted by crop load (~7 to under conditions of low fruit density and orchard interception.
~8%) without affecting crop load or double seeds (Table 2 and
• These findings suggest that growers can use these treatments to improve almond
Figure 1). The double spray of 30 or 40 mg L-1 of NOA did not show
yield and profitability, but further research is needed to explore these responses in
better response than a single application of 30 mg L-1 of NOA or 75
other cultivars and conditions.
mg L of 2,4-DP at full bloom (Figure 1B). Finally, the spray of 30
-1

mg L-1 of NOA or 75 mg L-1 generates a sufficient yield increase to 5. REFERENCES

make the application profitable, even under conditions of low fruit 1. Beyá-Marshall, V. and Reginato, G. (2022). Effect of AVG (Retain®) on yield and double seed incidence of almond trees, and orchard profit under different
conditions of fruit set and PAR interception. Acta Horticulturae 1344: 37-44. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1344.7
density (250 fruits/m2 PARi) in orchards intercepting at least 60% 2. Lampinen, B., Udompetaikul, V., Browne, G., Metcalf, S., Stewart, W.., Contador, L., et al. (2012). A Mobile Platform for Measuring Canopy Photosynthetically
Active Radiation Interception in Orchard Systems. HortTechnology 22,237–244.
PAR (Figure 2).
V Balkan Symposium on Fruit Growing, Zagreb, Croatia, June 18-21, 2023