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There are several types of prohexadione calcium, which include:
Prohexadione calcium formulation 270 gram per litter
This is the active ingredient that inhibits normal growth of tree fruits like apples. It has a special effect on vegetative shoots that tend to grow too vigorously. This formulation is applied to the foliage of trees and is readily absorbed by the leaves to balance growth characteristics of the trees by suppressing vegetative growth and enhancing flower bud formation which is an important aspect of harvesting a good crop.
Prohexadione calcium formulation 75% wettable powder
This is a powder formulation used with water and acts as a wettable powder. It contains 750 gram per kg of prohexadione calcium as the active ingredient. This formulation regulates the growth of certain crops, especially that of woody plants used in nurseries.
Prohexadione calcium formulation 0.6% s-solution
This is a special formulation of prohexadione calcium that has a special concentration of the active ingredient. The formulation can be easily mixed with water and used as needed. The solution regulates growth by limiting extension shoot which in case of stone fruits causes problems during harvest.
There are several features of prohexadione calcium that include:
Growth regulation in plants
Prohexadione calcium is primarily used to regulate plant growth because it inhibits the action of gibberellin, a hormone responsible for stem elongation. It is important for limiting excessive vegetative growth especially in fruit trees. This helps redirect the energy of the plant from producing new shoot growth to the development of fruit and flowers. This is very necessary in crops like apples and grapes where excessive foliage can reduce fruit quality.
Extended bud development
One of the main advantages of using prohexadione calcium is that it helps in bud development. In crop production, it helps in the production of flower buds which are critical for fruit production. By regulating shoot growth, prohexadione calcium enables trees to produce more flower buds. This leads to an improved and increased fruit yield.
Compatibility with other treatments
Prohexadione calcium can be included in the production and management programs of different crops. This is because it does not have a negative effect on pesticide absorption and it is possible to combine it with other crop protection products or plant nutrients. This helps in minimizing the risk of interacting negatively with other common agricultural chemicals.
Environmental safety and reduced residues
Prohexadione calcium is a much safer choice for the environment and can even be sometimes safer for farmers. Prohexadione calcium breaks down more quickly in the environment compared to other chemical growth regulators. This means there will be lower residues on crops after harvesting.
Application Flexibility
Prohexadione calcium can be applied to a wide range of crops across many different agricultural operations. This is because it is effective in both tree crops like apples and grapes and also in row crops like tobacco. With these kinds of features, one growth regulator can be used across a diverse range of agricultural settings.
There are several uses of prohexadione calcium that include:
Apple orchards
In apple orchards, prohexadione calcium is used to control excess vegetative growth. This is because overgrowth can lead to shade and reduce fruit quality. When applied in apple trees, prohexadione calcium limits the formation of extension shoots and encourages the development of flower buds. This results to higher fruit yields.
Grape vineyards
In grape production, prohexadione calcium prevents excessive shoot growth. This ensures that the vines do not become too lush at the expense of fruit development. When applied to grapevines, it inhibits gibberellin production and brings out a well-balanced growth and improves fruit quality. The grapes tend to be smaller but much sweeter with higher concentrations of sugar.
Stone fruit trees
Prohexadione calcium is particularly important in stone fruits like peaches and cherries. It prevents elongation of vegetative shoots that cause problem during harvest because the fruits tend to come off easily with slight pressure. Prohexadione calcium breaks down gibberellin and regulates shoot growth. This helps minimize such risks and results to better fruit quality.
Ornamental plants in nurseries
Prohexadione calcium is extensively applied in nurseries that grow ornamental plants. It helps them maintain compact and healthy plants that do not grow excessively tall. This growth regulation is especially important for trees and shrubs used in landscaping to achieve aesthetically pleasing captive displays.
Tobacco farming
In tobacco farming, prohexadione calcium is applied to limit excessive leaf growth and ensure that the leaves develop the right quality. It also helps in the even allocation of resources within the plant, so that no single part gets all the nutrients over others. With such a regulation, the leaves tend to become richer in the right concentrations of sugars and other essential compounds needed during processing.
There are several ways to apply prohexadione calcium that include:
Spray application
This is the most common method of application. Mix the right concentration of prohexadione calcium with water as advised by the manufacturer to make sure there is even distribution across the plant. Using a sprayer, apply the solution directly to the foliage of the plant while making sure it does not run off. This helps in ensuring the leaves absorb the active ingredients needed for growth regulation.
Soil application
In this method, prohexadione calcium is applied to the soil around the plant base because it is taken up by the roots and then transported to the rest of the plant. This method is particularly useful for crops where foliar application is not practical or effective. For instance, it is often used in trees to ensure that the growth regulator is distributed throughout the tree system.
Timing
The time of applying prohexadione calcium is very critical for the regulation of growth. It is normally applied during the growing season especially when the plant is about to start the phase of rapid vegetative growth. In fruit trees, it should be applied before flowering to avoid interfering with flower bud formation and balance growth by suppressing extension growth and enhancing fruiting.
Monitoring
While applying prohexadione calcium, it is always important to monitor the plant responses after application to avoid over or under application. In orchard crops, one needs to check the shoot elongation and bud development to see if the growth is well regulated. In case of ornamental plants, one should ensure they do not become too compact to restrict the plant from attaining its normal shape.
Improved crop yields
Prohexadione calcium plays an important role in improving crop yields. By regulating vegetative growth in plants, it helps direct more of their energy to the formation of fruits and flowers. This is especially important in fruit trees where excessive foliage can hinder the development of high-quality fruits. By preventing overcrowding of leaves and shoots, prohexadione calcium ensures that nutrients are well allocated to developing buds and fruits.
Fruit quality and size
Prohexadione calcium is a very important growth regulator that enhances the quality and size of fruits. In grapes for instance, it helps reduce excessive growth of vine shoots which would tend to cause dilute fruit with lower sugar concentrations. Because nutrients are reserved within the fruit, grapes become larger and more sugary. In other crops like apples and stone fruits, this growth regulation prevents disorders such as apple fruit drop and pomology.
With stable bud development and a well-balanced growth pattern, fruits achieve optimal size and better quality in terms of color, texture, and taste.
Prevention of pests and diseases
By managing vegetative growth, prohexadione calcium helps in reducing the incidence of pests and diseases. Overly vigorous growth can create a habitat for certain pests like aphids and mites. These are able to thrive in the densely foliated areas. When applied to trees in orchards, prohexadione calcium maintains open canopies that are less hospitable to such pests.
Labor and cost efficiency
Prohexadione calcium application can however be labor saving and cost efficient in the long run. Because it keeps crops in check, there will be less need for continuous pruning by hand or with machines. With less vegetative growth, harvesting becomes easier. This is especially true in tree crops where fruits tend to drop easily because of excessive growth.
Sustainable agricultural practice
Prohexadione calcium is a very crucial component in sustainable agricultural practice. It is a relatively environmentally friendly growth regulator that breaks down quickly in the environment. With such a property, there are lower residues on crops after harvest. This makes it safer for both farm workers and consumers.
Yes, Prohexadione Calcium is classified as a Plant Growth Regulator (PGR). It is specifically used to regulate plant growth by inhibiting the action of the plant hormone gibberellin. This helps control excessive vegetative growth, particularly in fruit trees and vine crops.
The mode of action of prohexadione calcium revolves around its inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis in plants. Gibberellins are hormones responsible for various growth processes such as stem elongation and seed germination. By interfering with gibberellin production, prohexadione calcium effectively suppresses excessive shoot growth and limb extension.
Prohexadione is not a herbicide but a plant growth retardant. It is primarily applied in agricultural practices to control and regulate excessive vegetative growth in plants.
When used according to the recommended guidelines, prohexadione calcium is considered safe for humans. It is, therefore, essential to follow all precautionary measures and instructions when applying this growth regulator to minimize any risks associated with its handling.
