Spraying young regrowth shoots of mechanically top-pruned lemon trees with Maleic hydrazide (MH) resulted in a significant inhibition of growth for almost a year after treatment in tests reported in this article. Top growth was retarded Nithout appreciably affecting fruit quality 3r yield through use of a concentration of about 400 ppm of MH.

Farm Advisors J. Pehrson, Orange County; M. Miller, Riverside County; D. Rosedale, Sun Diego County; Extension Pomologist J. Beutel (formerly Farm Advisor in Los Angeles County); and Ventura Coastal Lemon Company Field Superintendent Stanley Wear, assisted with these studies. MH for these tests was furnished through the courtesy of Jack Corkins, Naugatuck Chemical Company.