Fruiting and Physicochemical–Biochemical Characteristics of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) Cultivar ‘New Castle’ as Influenced by Foliar Application of Antioxidants and Phytoregulators

An experiment in a system of randomized block was conducted to evaluate the effect of different antioxidants and phytoregulators on fruiting and physicochemical–biochemical characteristics of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cv. New Castle. Antioxidants and phytoregulators were applied at pink bud and pit hardening stages of growth. The results revealed that among the various treatments applied, significantly highest fruit yield, fruit weight and fruit size was found under plants treated with 0.005% gibberellic acid. Whereas, application of 0.2% ascorbic acid gave highest pulp-to-stone ratio and total soluble solids. Both GA₃ at 0.005% and ascorbic acid at 0.2% gave highest fruit set, fruit retention and ascorbic acid content. Reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars were significantly better in plants treated with different concentrations of antioxidants. With respect to most of the parameters, ascorbic acid at 0.2% performed at par with 0.005% gibberellic acid. Therefore, the findings suggest that since antioxidants are organic compounds and are more readily acceptable than synthetic chemicals, these compounds can be considered as good alternative to chemicals in fruit production.