Young Fruit and Auxin Transport Inhibitors Affect the Response of Mature `Valencia' Oranges to Abscission Materials via Changing Endogenous Plant Hormones

The effects of removal of young fruit and application of auxin transport inhibitors on endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations were examined in relation to the response of mature `Valencia' orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] fruit to abscission materials. ABA concentrations were increased in the fruit abscission zone and pulp but not in the pedicel, peel, or seed of mature fruit by removal of young fruit during the period of reduced response of mature fruit to abscission materials in early May. However, removal of young fruit slightly decreased IAA concentrations in leaves and the abscission zone and pedicel of mature fruit but had no effect on the IAA concentrations in the peel, pulp, or seed of mature fruit. Young fruit had higher IAA concentrations in the abscission zone and pedicel than mature fruit. Application of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), an IAA transport inhibitor, reduced IAA concentrations in the abscission zone of mature fruit but did not influence the IAA concentrations in the pedicel and peel when applied directly to an absorbent collar tied around the pedicel 2 cm above the fruit abscission zone during the less responsive period in early May. ABA concentrations were increased drastically in the fruit abscission zone and pedicel but not in peel by TIBA application. Applications of ABA, or IAA transport inhibitors such as naringenin, quercetin, or TIBA comparably increased the response of mature fruit to the abscission material 5-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitro-1 H-pyrazole (CMN-pyrazole) in early May. These data suggest that young fruit reduce the response of mature `Valencia' oranges to abscission materials through increasing IAA concentrations and decreasing ABA concentrations in the abscission zone of mature `Valencia' orangees.