The Role of Phosphorus as an Abscission-inducing Agent for Olive Leaves and Fruit

Abstract

Citrate-phosphate buffer induced olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf abscission at pH 3, 5, or 7. Of several sources of P-induced leaf abscission, NaH2PO4 was the most effective. Sensitivity to P was shown by leaf abscission, leaf desiccation, or both among 32 species representing 22 genera. Applied P accumulates in petioles, but its effect on abscission does not seem to depend on ethylene production. The low P content in the ethephon molecule may have an additive effect in ethephon-induced abscission. Stem-fed NaH2PO4 or ethephon resulted in total leaf and fruit abscission. Of the chemicals applied as a foliar treatment, only NaH2PO4 caused fruit abscission with minimal leaf loss. Adding Al2O3 to adsorb P in treatment solutions delayed the abscission effect of ethephon and NaH2PO4. Adding glycerol to NaH2PO4 increased fruit abscission from 50% to ≈80% and leaf abscission from ≈9% to 18%. The presumed effect of glycerol is from slowing the drying rate and thereby increasing P penetration into the fruit abscission zone. The pedicel-fruit cavity is a collection basin for spray accumulation that is not present in the leaf petiole attachment to the stem. This morphological difference probably leads to greater absorption of abscission-inducing materials by fruit. Chemical name used: (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon).