Fig. 2

Morphological characterization of the terminal buds of short shoots (< 5 cm) in ‘Nagafu No.2’ apple trees. a Progression of bud growth in control and 6-BA treated buds during floral transition (30–70 DAFB). b Bud fresh weight, length, and width in control and 6-BA treated trees over the floral transition period. c and d Scanning electron micrographs of terminal buds at 100 DAFB from control trees (c) and 6-BA treated trees (d). Bars indicate the mean ± standard error (n = 3). * Indicates a significant difference between treated and untreated buds within a time point at p < 0.05