Hydrogen cyanamide enhances MRI-measured water status in flower buds of peach (Prunus persica L.) during winter

Abstract Braking bud dormancy in temperate fruit species using physical and chemical agents is a challenge issue. In present study, we investigated the interaction between hydrogen cyanamide (HC) and temperature in breaking dormancy to gain a basic knowledge on water status in peach (Prunus persica L.) floral buds. The water status, relaxation time (T 2 ) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), in the upper part (flower primordia and bud scales), basal part, and bud trace of flower buds were determined using the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Bulk water, which might flow through the bud trace, increased the water content in the basal part, and water molecular mobility as reflected by an increase in T 2 in HC-treated buds after 1 week at 5C. The HC triggers the influx of water into the bud, where the basal part exhibited the highest level of water accumulation. The study provides significant insights into the status of water in floral buds and highlights the role of HC to solve the problems of produce in temperate fruits