EFFECT OF GA3 AND CPPU ON FRUIT OF 'TIFBLUE' RABBITEYE BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM ASHEI R.)

A field experiment was conducted in order to determine the effect of the application of GA3 and CPPU on size, maturity and sugar contents of Vaccinium ashei cv. Tifblue berries, in the area of Coihueco, 15 km Northeast of the city of Chillan, Chile. GA3 and CPPU were applied in different concentrations and at various times. GA3 applied at full bloom reduced the diameter of berries compared to those treated with CPPU in the same period. CPPU at a concentration of 10mg L-1 applied at full bloom increased the size of the fruit; the same effect was observed with the mixture of GA3 (250 mg L-1) and CPPU (10 mg L-1) that was applied 20 days after full bloom. These trials did not have effects on fruit maturity, nor variations in the sugar contents.