Improved Methods for Breaking Rest in the Peach and Other Deciduous Fruit Species1

Abstract

The rest period of peach buds was broken by application of several compounds. DNOC-mineral oil, thiourea, aqueous DNOC, KNO 3 , gibberellic acid and kinetin were found to be active. Combinations of active compounds found to be most efficient were: DNOC-mineral oil + thiourea; DNOC-mineral oil + gibberellic acid; and KNO 3 + thiourea. Potassium nitrate and kinetin mainly advanced flower bud opening, while thiourea had a more pronounced effect on leaf bud opening. Combinations of pairs of the 3 compounds, DNOC-mineral oil, thiourea and KNO 3 were best for commercial use.