The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the gibberellic acid and of the girdling of branches on the abscission of the floral structures and on the onset of fruits of the acid lime tree 'Tahiti'. For the variables related to the abscission of the reproductive structures, the experimental design was on subdivided plots in time, with the factorial 4 x 3 in the plots. As to the onset of fruits, the experimental design was the factorial 4 x 3. The first factor was the application of GA3 in four concentrations (0, 7, 14 and 21 mg/L), and the second one, the two periods of girdling: one at the beginning of flowering (AIF) and the other one a month later (AMAF), plus the control without girdling (SA). The experimental design was in casualized plots (DBC), with five repetitions. It was observed that the GA3 did not change the abscission of the reproductive structures and neither the onset of the fruits of the acid lime tree 'Tahiti'. The girdled plants had a reduction of the abscission of the reproductive structures. The onset in the AIF plants was of 15.66%, and, on the AMAF plants, the onset was of 16.11%, which were increases of 220 and 229%, respectively, in relation to the SA plants, that had an onset of 4.89%.
girdling trunk; gibberellic acid; 'Tahiti lime fruit; fruit set; fruit abscission
