<b>Break of dormancy of 'Fuji Kiku' apple trees with garlic extract</b>

Abstract

The use of chemicals that promote and standardize the sprouting and flowering on temperate fruit trees is causing great concern due to its toxicity to humans and the dependence on few products for that purpose. In order to seek a solution to this problem, An experiment was installed in a commercial orchard of Fuji Kiku apple trees in the county of Guarapuava-PR, using the following treatments: control (untreated), OM (Mineral Oil-Assist ®) 30ml L^-1, BA (Bioalho ®) 5mL L^-1 + OM 30ml L^-1, BA 10mL L^-1 + OM 30ml L^-1, GN (Natural Garlic) 5mL L^-1 + OM 30ml L^-1, GN 10mL L^-1 + OM 30ml L^-1, CH (Cyanamide Hydrogen-Dormex ™) 5mL L^-1 + OM 20ml L^-1. The following variables were evaluated: percentage of sprouting, number of fruits per plant, weight, total soluble solids, total acidity and yield. The treatments with garlic extract took effect on break dormancy, not interfering in the physical and chemical characteristics of the fruit. In general the shooting was low due to low amount of accumulated chilling units and dry period after the break dormancy.