COMPARATIVE EVALUATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF MATURITY INDICES FOR PROMISING PLUM (Prunus salicina Lindl.) CULTIVARS IN KULLU VALLEY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2022-12
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Comparative evaluation and standardization of
maturity indices for promising plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivars in Kullu valley of
Himachal Pradesh” was carried out at the experimental orchard at Regional Horticulture and
Training Station, Bajaura, Kullu (HP). The experiment was laid out on 10-12 years old uniform plants
of different plum cultivars according to Randomized Block Design (RBD). The entire program of
study was categorized into three experiments with a view to study pattern of fruit growth, comparative
performance and standardization of harvest maturity for promising plum cultivars. It was revealed that
plum cultivars followed a double sigmoidal growth pattern which can be divided into three distinct
phases, viz; Phase-I representing with rapid growth (20-60 DAFS), Phase –II of slow growth (60-80
DAFS), and phase –III indicating a period of final swell and faster growth, followed by a depressed
growth till ripening which varied according to different cultivars. On the basis of two year
observations the cultivars Satluj Purple and Red Beaut were categorized as early; Santa Rosa, Black
Amber and Mariposa as mid; Friar, Frontier and Shiro as late blooming cultivars. Furthermore, the
optimum harvest dates cultivars for Black Amber and Mariposa was noted at 120 DFFB, Friar at 116
DFFB, Santa Rosa at 104 DFFB , Frontier at 103 DFFB, Shiro at 96 DFFB and Red Beaut at 94
DFFB. On these harvest dates the fruits of these cultivars attained the best possible physico-chemical
characters including sensory appeal. Among different maturity indices fruit colour, DFFB, TSS and
sugar acid ratio were found to be the reliable maturity indices for the harvesting of plum.