The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and gibberellic acid (GA), as well as the form of application of these growth regulators in the plant, for the production of lateral shoots on papaya trees. Twelve months old 'Sunrise Solo' papaya trees were treated with BAP and GA, in the concentration of 500 mg.L-1. BAP + GA were applied to the trees by means of spraying, lanolin paste, injection, and a combination of all three procedures (complete). Untreated plants were used as control. After three successive applications of the plant growth regulators in each form of application, at one week intervals, all plants were decapitated. The length and diameter of the lateral shoots were measured at 30, 55 and 86 days after decapitation. The use of plant growth regulators favored the production of lateral shoots. The highest proliferation of lateral shoots was obtained by spraying the canopy of the trees with BAP + GA, followed by injection and lanolin paste applications.
vegetative propagation; cutting; plant growth regulators
