Effect of preharvest gibberellic acid sprays on Ellendale mandarin fruit

Abstract

Gibberellic Acid (GA) was applied at 10 and 20 ppm to mandarin fruit cv. Ellendale, at 18, 15 and 12 weeks prior to harvest. All sprays reduced rind puffiness, delayed the loss of green colour from the rind and reduced juice acidity. There was no difference in effect due to the GA rates used and little difference due to the timing of the sprays. Yield was not affected over two years of application.