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Connecticut

Anthesis Data Summary (Question 2 of 8)
2-Will an application of Anthesis increase (or decrease) the odds of fruit set?

In short, Anthesis will not change the odds of fruit set in any way. Early on, there were a few growers that reported abortions with Anthesis, however, as the season progressed, it turned out that this was on plants where nothing would set anyway.

The reason why there is no change is because Anthesis is applied 48-hours after pollination. Why this is so critical is because Anthesis simply amplifies the natural signals that are normally occurring in the actual pumpkin. The seeds, once pollinated, produce hormone signals that naturally increase and then decrease. The timing of 48-hours after pollination is simply ensuring the signals are increased for a slightly longer period of time that essentially extends the cell division phase and reduces the cell expansion phase. This is why the timing is so critical because if you apply Anthesis too early, the signal will get lost in the hormonal increase that occurs naturally. If you apply it too late, the cells will simply not be receptive to (will not hear) the signal, as there is a small period of time that the signal can alter cellular process.

In my opinion, this was a major breakthrough in my research: being able to determine the exact timing of this process. I know this seemed a little odd initially, but the fact is there are critical points that offer small opportunities that, if you can get to line-up, can result in positive season-long effects. This is where, in hindsight, it is so easy to say, but putting the research time into discovering this took a lot longer than just 48 hours;-)

11/17/2015 8:18:12 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Does the 48 hour window change with temperature?

11/17/2015 11:05:25 PM

Connecticut

BillF-
This is a good question, but the short answer is “no” the 48 hour window of application does not change with temperature.

Now the details…
Anthesis is targeting a physiological process that is basically going through a natural sequence that is minimally affected by temperature. It is based on the natural signals released by the seeds shortly after pollination. Anthesis essentially extends the “go” signal from the seeds that stage the growth and development process of the pumpkin.
Also, while temperature may affect the rate at which pollen and the corresponding pollen tube forms this impact is minimal. If the temperature is too far out of the needed range for a successful pollination the pumpkin will simply not take and Anthesis will have no signal to up-regulate. Many times only 48-hours after pollination you will not be able to tell if the pollination has taken yet, but if it aborts temperature could be a contributing factor.

For those that want some supporting scientific literature continue reading below.

Investigating the upper temperature limit…
This study was looking at the monocot C4 and wind pollinated plant corn, and found that temperatures below 90F (32C) were needed for optimum pollen germination.

http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/content/96/1/59.full.pdf+html

On the low end of temperature...
Looking at bell peppers it was found that… “night time temperatures of 50F and 60F (or 10C and 15C) can decrease pollen viability. However, later phases of microspore development (pre-pollen and egg formation) and pollen maturation were not affected by the same temperature treatments.”

http://www.researchgate.net/profile/MMar_Trigo/publication/235911167_Effects_of_low_temperature_on_pepper_pollen_morphology_and_fertility_evidence_of_cold_induce_exine_alterations/links/552af5ae0cf2779ab792f1f4.pdf

11/19/2015 9:07:39 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Matt from what I understand is this application will delay my scary over the top volumes of end of july first week of august and allow for September growth (that I never get)
Sounds like something I need desparately. I can't wait for all the posts. Thanks! Chuck

11/20/2015 5:33:02 PM

Connecticut

Alexsdad-
Based on the data that I have gathered from a variety of growers, it seems Anthesis applied pumpkins will be smaller than untreated pumpkins up to about day 35. My theory is that this is a result of an increase in the duration of cell division which will also cause a delay in cell expansion. What is encouraging is that after the day 40 time-frame the Anthesis applied pumpkins outpace the untreated plants and continue to grow later into the season. Reading your comment, I would say that Anthesis should help reduce your early season growth and provide you with better odds of later season growth. It is the later season growth that I think is the real key to improving total weight and it is something that everyone wants, but I have not seen any data for anything (other than Anthesis) that has shown this continued late season growth when compared to a control (untreated) plant.

I am fortunate to have one of the most detailed and diverse data sets for a new product and this was only possible because of the help from the growers. I now have confidence that the scientific background I applied to pumpkins has panned out and is proving itself. If any newsletters want an article, you are welcome to contact me. Also, thanks to all the growers that continue to send in data.

Lastly, hopefully everyone likes my almost weekly question and answer. I think this is the best way to share all of the data that I have collected and complied. There are still some very interested results that I will be sharing in future posts so keep an eye out.

11/20/2015 10:56:42 PM

Netherlands

Thanks Matt. Very interesting.

11/21/2015 11:52:47 AM