Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in combination with glycerol or ethylene glycol reduce freezing injury in flowers of apple branches.

摘要

Treatment of apple branches (cv. Boskoop) with vitamin E and/or the cryoprotector glycerol minimized freezing injury in flowers exposed to low temperatures (Tmax of -1.8deg C, Tmin of -3degree C) under controlled conditions. The combination of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, 0.25% a.i.) and glycerol (5%) provided greater protection than either chemical alone. Time-course studies established that the optimum time of application was between 24 and 48 h before the freezing event. In spring 1997, field experimentsin Germany with apple trees (cv. Boskoop) confirmed the protective effects of an alpha-tocopherol/ethylene glycol combination. In comparison with untreated plants, the yield of treated ones was 3-fold higher.