Fruit drop in citrus represents a challenge that poses important challenges for agricultural production. To address this problem successfully, it is essential to understand the causes and mechanisms behind this process and to find effective solutions to ensure crop profitability. <\/p>\n\n
Several factors influence this physiological process, both cultural and environmental. Among the cultural aspects, there are two main ones: the variety and the rootstock. As for the environmental ones, we have: climatic conditions, pollination problems, water stress episodes, diseases<\/a> and nutritional deficiencies, etc. <\/p>\n\n The interrelationship between all these factors results in a direct impact on fruit retention, affecting crop productivity. For example, in a variety with a high tendency to drop, a prolonged period of drought may trigger premature fruit drop, while in a variety with high resistance, the impact of lack of water may be minimal. <\/p>\n\n Plant hormones, such as gibberellins, auxins and cytokinins, play a crucial role in citrus fruit development and, consequently, in fruit drop. In fact, the most important parameter to induce fruit drop is the gradient between ethylene and auxins at the level of the peduncle (include link), which joins the fruit to the stem. <\/p>\n\n Gibberellins promote cell growth and elongation, influencing fruit retention, while auxins and cytokinins can modulate fruit abscission by influencing the formation of the abscission layer on the peduncle. <\/p>\n\n Based on this principle, synthetic auxins, such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and Dichlorprop (2,4-DP), are traditionally used in agriculture to reduce premature fruit drop. These substances are highly effective when applied in specific concentrations and always at the right time. Otherwise, misuse of these tools can cause great damage to the crop. <\/p>\n\n Biostimulants are solutions, generally of natural or organic origin, based on bioactive compounds that promote plant growth and development, strengthening, among other things, crop resistance to stress. These products contain seaweed extracts, amino acids or other compounds that complement each other and can achieve very specific and concrete objectives. <\/p>\n\nHormones and fruit retention.<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n
Biostimulants and their role in reducing fruit drop.<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n