Abstract
The effects of the growth regulators, gibberellin (GA) and 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (4-CPA), applied at the blooming time, on the fruit quality of acerola cultivated in the southern region of Kyushu were investigated.
The ascorbic acid content of the pale green immature fruit was high and it decreased with fruit maturation. As a result of the treatment with GA of 100 ppm, the highest ascorbic acid content was 2, 965 mg/100 g in the pale green immature fruit and 2, 590 mg/100 g in the red ripe mature fruit. The highest ascorbic acid content associated with the treatment with 4-CPA was 2, 710 mg/100 g at 7.5 ppm in the pale green immature fruit and 2, 105 mg/100 g at 5.0 ppm in the red ripe mature fruit.
The fruit weight, edible portion percentage, juice yield and Brix value in the red ripe mature fruit showed the highest values at a GA concentration of 100 ppm. The effect of GA on the enhancement of the fruit quality was higher than that of 4-CPA. Ascorbic acid content in acerola fruit trees which is the highest among the fruit trees cultivated in the region, increased by the GA treatment.
