The present trial was carried out aiming to increase fruit set of 'Monte Parnaso' (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) navel oranges budded on trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata [L.] Raf.) rootstocks grown in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In 1996, six-year-old navel orange trees were sprayed with growth regulators combined or not with girdling. The following treatments (T) was conducted: T1) Control; T2) spraying of five ppm of GA3 at the end of petal fall; T3) girdling 10 days after petal fall; T4) T2 plus T3; T5) spraying of 15ppm 2.4-D; T6) T4 plus T5; T7) girdling in November 15th; T8) T5 plus T7; T9) T6 plus T7; T10) T6 plus spraying of 10ppm of GA3 and 15ppm of 2.4-D in May of 1998; T11) T9 plus spraying of 10ppm of GA3 and 15ppm 2.4-D in May of 1998. The results showed increased the weight (45%) and number of fruits produced. The treatments did not affect the fruits average and total soluble solids, titratable total acidity and percentage of juice contents.
Citrus sinensis; girdling; growth regulator; fruit drop; fruit set
