EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH SUBSTANCES ON FRUIT SIZE AND QUALITY OF POMEGRANATE (Punica granatum L.) Cv. MRIDULA
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Date
2003-10-15
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Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413 722 (M.S.), India.
Abstract
The present investigation entitled, "Effect of plant growth substances on fruit size and quality of pomegranate {Punica granatum L.) Cv. Mridula" was carried out at the Instructional-cum-Research Orchard of the Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during Mrig bahar of 2002. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The five PGRs at different concentrations were sprayed at three intervals i.e. 30th, 60th and 90th days after first irrigation (DAFI). Observations on physical and chemical parameters of fruits were recorded. All the treatments of CCC @ 250 ppm applied at differnt DAFI gave significant results as compared to other growth regulators. The treatments in which the growth regulators were applied at 30th, 60th, and 90th DAFI produced maximum number of fruits per tree (58.58) and highest yield (13.39 kg). Application at other stages of fruit growth resulted increased fruit length, number of arils in 100 g reducing and total sugars with lowering acidity. Application of 6-BA @ 10 ppm resulted in maximum fruit drop (23.01%) when applied at 60th DAFI, however, early application resulted in better retention of fruits/tree (43.90%) with increased fruit weight. The quality parameters viz., TSS, reducing and total sugars were mostly influenced by the application of CPPU @ 2 ml/litre. The highest TSS was recorded by all the treatments of CPPU @ 2 ml/litre at all the intervals studied. The CPPU applied at 60th and 90th DAFI recorded maximum TSS (20.70%). The CPPU applied at 90th DAFI recorded highest reducing sugar (13.92%) and total sugar (15.65%). The effect of Brassinosteroid @ 2 ml/litre was observed to be non-prominent on all the quantitative as well as qualitative characters studied. On the contrary, reduced fruit length, diameter and mean fruit weight was observed when Brassinosteroid @ 2 ml/litre was applied at 60th and 90th DAFI. Ethrel applied @ 500 ppm at 60ih and 90th DAFI as well as 90th DAFI resulted in fruit drop to the extent of 4%. However, the application of ethrel @ 500 ppm at 90th DAFI resulted in reduced rind thickness (0.64 mm), rind percentage (35.13%) and acidity (0.40%) as compared to rest of the treatments. Amongst the five growth regulators tested few growth regulators significantly influenced the parameters studied. Looking to the overall results CCC @ 250 ppm at 30th, 60th and 90th DAFI was observed to be the best treatment for obtaining higher yield with improved quality of pomegranate fruits.
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