ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of vegetable oils mixed with mineral oil in the induction of budding, the activity of the enzymes catalase and guaiacol peroxidase on the buds, and productivity in the apple. The research was carried out at the State University of the Centeral-West (Unicentro), in Guarapuava, in the State of Paraná, Brazil, on both growing plants and plants at the start of production (2013/2014 and 2014/2015 respectively), using the Royal Gala II and Fuji Supreme cultivars of the apple. The treatments consisted of the application of mineral oil and mineral oil mixed with emulsifiable vegetable oil, vegetable oils from the soybean and sunflower, and hydrogenated cyanamide. Evaluation consisted of verifying budding and enzymatic activity, vegetative development, flowering phenology and productive characteristics. In the Fuji Supreme cultivar, a mixture of 2% mineral oil and 4% emulsifiable vegetable oil has the potential to induce budding, reduce plant vigour, and the concentration and anticipation of flowering, and increase both the number of fruits per plant and productivity. A mixture of mineral and vegetable oil is less efficient in the induction of budding in the Royal Gala II cultivar, when compared to mineral oil with hydrogen cyanamide. The application of mineral and vegetable oil does not alter the activity of the enzyme catalase, and none of the products tested alters the activity of the enzyme guaiacol peroxidase 24 hours after application.
Key words:
Hydrogenated cyanamide; Dormancy breaking; Malus domestica
