EFFECT OF AUXYM ON THE QUALITY OF SUMMER PEARS WITH EMPHASIS ON FRUIT SIZE

Argentina occupies the first place among pear-exporting countries. ‘Williams’ is the main pear cultivar with a planted area of approximately 14,000 hectares. The quality of the fruit is a key aspect to maintain and gain new export markets. Quality standards have to be met by the time of harvest because early harvested fruit receives a better price than fruit harvested later. Fruit size is a critical quality parameter. Auxym Oligo is a product that claims to be effective at increasing fruit size. The product contains a complex of plant extracts and is approved for use in ecological agriculture. The composition of Auxym includes micronutrients complexed with natural amino acids, vitamins and cytokinins. Two trials were conducted in order to assess the effect of Auxym on leaf elemental status and fruit characteristics. The first trial was conducted during the 1999-2000 season in a ‘Williams’/seedling pear orchard. Three treatments were used: two Auxym dosages and a control. Auxym was applied at 3 or 5 timings up to 94 days after full bloom. The Auxym treatments did not influence fruit size at harvest. Fruit firmness was enhanced after storage but not t harvest. In the 2000-2001 season, Auxym treatments were applied on ‘Red Sensation’/seedling pears. Auxym was sprayed three times at two dosages. The higher dose of Auxym significantly increased fruit size, fruit weight and firmness at harvest relative to the Control treatment. The beneficial effect of the higher dose of Auxym spray in the second year is attributed to poor fruit sizing conditions caused by cool weather. The results suggest that Auxym may produce positive responses when conditions are suboptimal for fruit growth.