Gibberellins A4/7, 6-Benzylaminopurine and Prohexadione Calcium Modify Growth, Development and Quality of Raspberry

H Ramírez *

Departamento de Horticultura, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923, Saltillo, Coahuila, México.

JC González-Escobar

Posgrado en Ingeniería de Sistemas de Producción, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923, Saltillo, Coahuila, México.

RI Cabrera

Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, 121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, New Jersey USA.

D Jasso-Cantú

Posgrado en Ingeniería de Sistemas de Producción, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923, Saltillo, Coahuila, México.

A Zermeño-González

Departamento de Riego y Drenaje, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923, Saltillo, Coahuila, México.

A Hernández-Pérez

Departamento de Horticultura, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923, Saltillo, Coahuila, México.

M Espinosa-Vázquez

Posgrado en Ingeniería de Sistemas de Producción, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923, Saltillo, Coahuila, México.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Objectives: Currently, Mexico is the second-largest producer of red raspberries in the world. A steady increase in consumption, quality demands from the international market and its high value call for practices that can enhance production and quality of this crop. A viable option is the use of bioregulators, and this study evaluated the effects of prohexadione calcium (P-Ca), gibberellins A4/7 (GA4/7) and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) on the growth, development and quality of raspberry cv. UANC-2022.

Study Design: The study was set up under a completely randomized block design with a 4x3 factorial arrangement. The first factor was the bioregulators used (P-Ca, GA4/7, 6-BAP and the combination of GA4/7+6-BAP) and the second factor was the number of applications.

Location and Duration of the Study: Conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, in Saltillo, Mexico, during the period March to October 2022.

Methodology: Treatment applications were carried out at three specific times during the growing cycle, with a first application made one day after pruning (DAP), the second at 48 DAP and the third at 70 DAP. All treatments were applied to the foliage.

Results: P-Ca temporarily reduced lateral shoot growth (LSG), improved reproductive development and yield, and increased fruit quality. GA4/7 promoted LSG, reproductive development, yield, and improved fruit quality. 6-BAP enhanced fruit quality. The combination of GA4/7+6-BAP increased LSG in the early weeks and improved fruit quality.

Conclusion: The bioregulators GA4/7, 6-BAP and P-Ca bring targeted benefits to growth, development and fruit quality, making them a viable management practice that can be implemented in the production of raspberries.

Keywords: Berries, gibberellins, cytokinins, growth retardants, Rubus idaeus


How to Cite

Ramírez, H, JC González-Escobar, RI Cabrera, D Jasso-Cantú, A Zermeño-González, A Hernández-Pérez, and M Espinosa-Vázquez. 2025. “Gibberellins A4/7, 6-Benzylaminopurine and Prohexadione Calcium Modify Growth, Development and Quality of Raspberry”. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 37 (1):178-93. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpss/2025/v37i15264.