The natural plant growth regulator Berelex® has a new MAPP number, but is still recommended to improve the fruit set of pears and the yield of celery and rhubarb. It also has a SOLA in outdoor cherries and cherries under rain cover to reduce fruit drop between fruit set and harvest.
"Berelex is based on the natural growth hormone, gibberellic acid, and is used in pears, rhubarb and celery. In pears it improves fruit set when blossom is sparse, setting conditions are poor or frost has killed the majority of flowers. It is applied at 25% open flower when you can see what proportion of flowers may be frosted and when you have some idea of the pollinating weather," says Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm (UK) Ltd.
Dr. Stormonth explains that in rhubarb, made even more popular this year by a well-known delightful cooking celebrity, the naturally occurring product Berelex is used in field crops to advance cropping and increase yield and in forced crops to reduce cold treatments requirements and to increase earliness and yield. "All that is happening is that crops are being given a naturally occurring product which they produce themselves anyway, but at a slightly earlier stage. It’s a very simple trick which is especially useful after a tough winter."
In field crops of rhubarb it is applied at the first signs of growth and in forced crops on transfer to the forcing shed. Applied 3 weeks before the first intended harvest, in celery its use increases head size and yield.
The new SOLA for Berelex is in outdoor cherries or cherries under temporary protective rain cover to control fruit drop or abscission in the period between fruit set and harvest. Growers need to obtain a copy of the notice of approval to use Berelex in cherries via the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) web site, ADAS offices, the HDC or NFU. The SOLA reference number is 1072 of 2009. CRD point out that, as is the case for all SOLA’s, liability lies with the user and growers are advised to test a small area of crop prior to commercial use.
Containing 1 gram of gibberellic acid (GA3) per water soluble tablet, Berelex® is a naturally occurring plant growth regulator used to improve the fruit set of pears and yield of celery and rhubarb. In pears a spray solution containing 22 tablets in 1000 litres of water is prepared and applied at between 220 and 560 litres/ha for a single application or between 110 to 280 litres/ha for the spilt application. Do not apply Berelex after petal fall in pears. In celery a spray solution using 10 tablets in 100 litres of water is prepared, 50 ml of non-ionic wetter added and this is applied at 250 to 350 litres/ha to achieve complete wetting. For rhubarb a spray solution using 10 tablets in 100 litres of water is prepared and this is applied as a drench of 250 mls per crown. Berelex® is packed in a 10 tablet box.
For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile) or via e-mail david.stormonth@interfarm.co.uk
