Manihot leaf abscission induced by ethrel

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to assess the impact of ethrel spraying on cassava leaf abscission at different stages of cultivar development. Two experiments were performed using randomized block designs, with 15 total treatments (three repetitions of five conditions) arranged according to the factorial scheme 3 x 5. Experiment 1 (ethrel application in the vegetative development period) consisted of three seasons (November 2013 and 2014, January and February 2014) and four concentrations of ethrel (1,500, 3,000, 4,500, and 6,000 ppm) and a control (no application); Experiment 2 (application in pre-harvest period) consisted of three periods of ethrel spraying (20, 40, and 60 days before harvest), four ethrel concentrations (1,500, 3,000, 4,500, and 6,000 ppm) and a control (without ethrel). The characteristics evaluated included the number of fallen leaves at 20 and 70 days after application, total leaf dry mass and foliar degreening. The effects of different concentrations and times of application of ethrel were significant during the first seven days. Ethrel application during the second period of vegetative development did not affect the number of fallen leaves over a period of 70 days.