Assessment of pomological potential and standardization of propagation methods in Elephant apple (Dillenia indica L.)
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Date
2023
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RPCAU, Pusa
Abstract
The present experiment entitled “Assessment of pomological potential and standardization of propagation methods in Elephant apple (Dillenia indica L.)” was carried out in shade net of Hi-tech nursery unit of Department of Horticulture, PG College of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar) during the year of 2022-2023. The biochemical parameters were taken in biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, Physiology and Biochemistry, RPCAU, Pusa. The study aimed to investigate the pomological potential of elephant apple (Dillenia indica) and establish standardized propagation methods for this fruit. The research encompassed two primary objectives: evaluating the time taken for fruit development and assessing various parameters related to fruit quality, seed characteristics and propagation techniques. Five distinct collections of elephant apple fruits, labeled EC 1 to EC 5, were subjected to analysis. The duration from flowering to fruit set was measured, with EC 4 displaying the longest period (75.55 days) followed by EC 5 (66.89 days). Conversely, EC 2 demonstrated the shortest duration (56.30 days) and EC 1 fell in between (65.62 days). The fruit count varied among collections, with EC 2 containing the most fruits (498.26) and EC 5 having the fewest (11). Moreover, EC 4 exhibited the highest fruit weight (577.37 g), while EC 5 had the lightest fruits (402.40 g). Fruit dimensions were also scrutinized, revealing EC 4 to possess the greatest fruit length (12.53 cm) and EC 5 to have the smallest (8.63 cm). EC 4's fruit breadth measured 9.91 cm, whereas EC 5's was 9.14 cm. EC 4 was statistically on par with EC 1, EC 2 and EC 3 in terms of these parameters. Specific gravity was highest in EC 1 (408.05) followed by EC 4 (384.60) while EC 5 had the lowest (326.36). Shelf-life analyses indicated EC 2 as having the longest (33.75 days) and EC 5 the shortest (25.75 days), with EC 2 comparable to EC 1, EC 3 and EC 4. Ascorbic acid content ranged from 11.79 mg/100 g to 13.35 mg/100 g. EC 5 exhibited the highest level, whereas EC 3 displayed the lowest. Maximum titratable acidity was recorded in EC 1 (2.53%) and minimum in both EC 3 and EC 5 (1.99%). Total phenol content was highest in EC 4 (368.95 mg GAE/100g) and lowest in EC 5 (222.62 mg GAE/100g). EC 2 showcased the highest antioxidant activity (72.31%), while EC 5 demonstrated the lowest (65.18%). TSS content varied from 6.59 to 13.09 °Brix, with EC 3 having the highest and EC 5 the lowest values. The number of seeds per fruit ranged from 84.25 in EC 5 to 200.75 in EC 3, with seed color varying among collections. Furthermore, the investigation delved into propagation methods for elephant apple through cuttings and seed germination. The study focused on various treatments involving IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and GA3 (gibberellic acid) at different concentrations. The time taken for sprouting and root development was measured, along with other growth parameters. For instance, stem cuttings treated with T4 IBA @ 2000 ppm exhibited the shortest duration to first sprouting (6.90 days), while T1 IBA @ 500 ppm and T2 IBA @ 1000 ppm demonstrated the longest (9.02 days). Stem cuttings treated with T4 IBA @ 2000 ppm, T5 IBA @ 2500 ppm and T7 IBA @ 3500 ppm displayed the maximum number of leaves (2.72), while T7 IBA @ 3500 ppm had the minimum (1.66). T4 IBA @ 2000 ppm resulted in the longest shoot length (3.19cm) and T2 IBA @ 1000 ppm had the shortest (2.02cm). The investigation also encompassed seed germination using GA3 treatments. T3 GA3 @ 600 ppm exhibited the shortest time for germination initiation (31.36 days) and T4 GA3 @ 800 ppm showed the highest germination percentage (69.88%). Plant growth parameters, such as primary root length, secondary root count, plant height and leaf number, were also assessed under different treatments.