Auxin modification of the incompatibility response in Theobroma cacao

The time course and control of floral abscission and fruit set in Theobroma cacao were studied after spray application of growth regulators. 1-Naphtha leneacetic acid (NAA) prevented Rower abscission in a concentration depende nt manner and induced the early stages of fruit development. The cytokinin benzylaminopurine (BAP) counteracted NAA but resulted in longer fruit reten tion. Measurements of endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid showed an i nverse correlation between the number of flowers per plant and auxin conten t, The results suggest that the genetic control of self-incompatibility in T. cacao may be modulated by the hormonal content of the flower.