INDUCTION OF SEEDLESSNESS IN TRIUMPH MUSCADINE GRAPE (VITIS-ROTUNDIFOLIA MICHX) BY APPLYING GIBBERELLIC-ACID

Gibberellic acid (GA(3)), a plant growth regulator used routinely in t he production of seedless bunch grapes, was sprayed on the seeded musc adine grape cultivar Triumph. GA(3) at 100, 200, and 300 mg . L(-1) wa s sprayed on the leaves and fruit clusters at late bloom; a second spr ay followed 1 week later. The sprayed vines produced more than 20% see dless berries and the size of the berries with seeds increased signifi cantly. GA(3) application in commercial muscadine grape production may have potential benefits.