Abstract: We disclose methods to enhance bud breaking in grapes. Unfavorable bud breaking is caused by insufficient dormancy, which itself is commonly caused by insufficiently cold or long winters. Insufficient dormancy results in apical dominance which lessens the number of branches and fruiting sites. We have discovered that treatment with the plant growth regulator homobrassinolide enhances great growth uniformity and bud-break uniformity similar to Hydrogen Cyanamide without the negative effects.

Abstract: We disclose methods to achieve improved characteristic traits of grapes such as decreased maturation time, increased fruit firmness, soluble solid content, as well as other quality parameters such as increased fruit set by foliar application of the plant growth regulator homobrassinolide.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the yield of almond trees by the application of certain plant growth regulators are disclosed. In one embodiment, a brassinosteroid is applied to a variety of the species Prunus dulcis in the growth stage two weeks after full bloom. In another embodiment, the almond trees are treated at the time of petal fall with a brassinosteroid during the formation the ovaries and nutlets. Non-brassinosteroid plant growth regulators such as Forchlorfenuron and Gibberellic acid may be applied with a brassinosteroid to further promote growth. The inventors hypothesize that changes in reproductive physiology such as increasing pollen tube growth and pollen germination rates that ultimately result in greater crop yield are promoted by applications of brassinosteroids.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing phenanthrenequinone, 9-hydroxyfluorene-9-5 carboxylic acid (“HFCA”), methyl-9-hydroxyfluorene-carboxylate (“HFCA methyl ester”) and methyl-2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorenecarboxylate, (“Chlorflurenol”) starting from preferred embodiment are disclosed. Several reaction products of phenanthrene are useful in industry, and are valuable plant growth regulators.

Abstract: Methods and materials for producing walnuts with improved characteristics including: increased whole nut size, kernel size, shell size and hull size, and increased fruit set are disclosed. Treatments with 28-homobrassinolide (HBR) and in some cases, HBR with forchlorofenuron (CPPU), increase walnut whole nut size, kernel size, shell size, hull size, and fruit set in Serr and Chandler walnuts. Additionally HBR affects the pollen tube growth rate and germination percentages which may relate to increased fruit set and size. Presumably the increases are related to the effect of HBR on pollen load, and possibly also with embryonic development and stimulation of cell division. These results can be generalized to additional PGRs: epi-BL, CA, and HCS and mixtures thereof with CPPU. Increase in fruit set or seed size are both factors that directly correspond to higher yields; making these PGRs effective treatments for increasing walnut crop yield and ultimately walnut crop profitability.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the yield of almond trees by the application of certain plant growth regulators are disclosed. In one embodiment, a brassinosteroid is applied to a variety of the species Prunus dulcis in the growth stage two weeks after full bloom. In another embodiment, the almond trees are treated at the time of petal fall with a brassinosteroid during the formation the ovaries and nutlets. Non-brassinosteroid plant growth regulators such as Forchlorfenuron and Gibberellic acid may be applied with a brassinosteroid to further promote growth. The inventors hypothesize that changes in reproductive physiology such as increasing pollen tube growth and pollen germination rates that ultimately result in greater crop yield are promoted by applications of brassinosteroids.