Effects of GA3 applications on biochemical properties in black myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) fruits

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is one of the medical and aromatic plants naturally grown in the Mediterranean basin. Myrtle leaves are widely used in pharmacy, perfumery, cosmetics and even as pesticides. Myrtle fruits are white and black in color. Black myrtles are naturally grown in the forest areas of Turkey. Their fruits are mostly consumed as fresh or dried, especially by local people, or used for liquor production. Currently, there is great interest in black myrtle fruits because of their high antioxidant capacities and phenolic properties. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of GA(3) applications on the total phenolic substance, the total flavonoid amount and the antioxidant activity in the fruits of the black myrtle. Studies were carried out in the orchard of 5-year-old 'Yakup' black myrtle cultivar located in Antalya. GA(3) were sprayed at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg L-1 at 1 week before bud break (BB) and 1 week before blooming (ballon stage) (BL). Effects of GA(3) doses on biochemical properties changed depending on treatment time. The highest total phenolic substance (1210.15 mg GAE 100 g(-1)), total flavonoid amount (155.41 mg CTE 100 g(-1)) and antioxidant activity (337.68 mu M Trolox g(-1)) were recorded at 1 week before bud break. GA(3) aplications that are applied in the 1 week before blooming (BL) were found to reduce the biochemical content of black myrtle fruit.