STUDIES ON THE ROLE OF ANTITRANSPIRANTS, MULCHING AND FRUIT THINNING IN MOISTURE STRESS MANAGEMENT IN KINNOW UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS OF JAMMU
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Date
2003
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu
Abstract
Results obtained during the course of investigation revealed maximum leaf turgidity (82.46% RWC) under polythene mulched trees closely followed by cutgrass mulch. Similarly maximum total Chlorophyll was observed under mulched trees (7.12-7.43 mgs/lit) followed by 8-hydroxy quinol 1200 ppm. Salicylic acid regardless of its concentration and NAA at 250 ppm led to significant decrease in total chlorophyll content. Soil moisture was significantly more (13.20%) under mulched trees compared to other treatments, which were at par with control (10.26%). Soil temperature was minimum under cutgrass mulched trees (27.27°C ) followed by FYM treated trees, while, rest of the treatments were identical to control (32.73°C). Transpiration was minimum in leaves treated with 6% and 8% kaolinite followed by leaves treated with 8-hydroxy quinol. Mulched trees exhibited maximum transpiration, highest being imder polythene mulched trees
(11.77mg cm<sup>-2</sup>h<sup>-1</sup>) Stomatal density was uniform under all treatments. However stomatal aperture size was least with 8-hydroxy quinol. (14.8μ). Photosynthetic index in terms of dry matter accumulation was maximum under mulched trees (0.332 mg cm<sup>-2</sup>h<sup>-1</sup>) and least in case of control. Both linear as well as radial growth were significantly more than control under mulched trees followed by trees treated with kaolinite 8%. Similarly tree volume under polythene mulch registered maximum increase of 6.6m<sup>-3</sup>. As regards qualitative parameters, fruits from mulched trees registered maximum diameter, weight, volume and juice content followed by trees treated with 350 ppm NAA. Seed number remained unaltered as a result of different treatments. While as TSS, total & non reducing sugars were found more in fruits under mulching treatments, there was a corresponding increase in acid content in all other treatments. Ascorbic acid content revealed non-significant difference consequent to application of different treatments. Treatments under study did not influence foliar content of K, P, Ca and Mg significantly, however, trees under polythene mulch reflected a marginal increase in these nutrient elements as compared to rest of the treatments. Mulching of tree canopies over a period of time, with organic mulches, is likely to improve the nutrient status of soils, besides improving its water status.
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No. of references 113