STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF TIME AND INTENSITY OF PRUNING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF CUSTARD APPLE (Annona squamosa L.) cv. BALANAGAR
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Date
2016-06-27
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College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, HYD-30
Abstract
Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) can be called as a delicacy of dry region due to its very sweet delicate flesh. It belongs to family Annonaceae and originated in tropical region of America. It is a deciduous or semi deciduous tall woody shrub of about 5-6 meters height having irregularly spreading branches. Plants exhibit leaf shedding in winter season and production of flowers on new shoots indicating the need for pruning to boost up production. To evaluate the effect of pruning studies were conducted on the influence of time and intensity of pruning on growth, yield and quality of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) cv. Balanagar” were carried out during the period from March, 2015 to December, 2015 at Fruit Research Station (FRS), Sangareddy, Medak District, SKLTSHU, Telangana.
Studies were conducted on the effect of time of pruning i.e. March, April and May (in the first week of every month at 30 days interval) and effect of pruning intensities i.e. 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm from top of the shoot and control on growth, yield and fruit quality of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) cv. Balanagar with 15 treatments replicated twice in RBD with factorial concept.
Among the treatments in pruning time May pruning recorded significantly minimum number of days for sprouting of buds, first flower appearance and also increased the number of new leaves, leaf area index, number of days taken for first
fruit harvest after pruning, number of days taken for first fruit harvest after flowering, number of fruits per pruned shoot, number of fruits per plant.
Among the intensity of pruning treatments 30 cm pruning intensity increased the number of new leaves, new shoot length, leaf area index, fruit set (%), number of fruits per pruned shoot and number of fruits per plant and decreased the number of days taken for first flower appearance, number of days taken for first fruit harvest after flowering. 40 cm pruning intensity recorded early sprouting of buds and early flowering but due to severity of pruning the length of shoot, leaf area index, fruit yield and size of the fruit is decreased.
Among the interaction studies significant increase of new shoot length, leaf area index, number of fruits per pruned shoot, number of fruits per plant was noticed in May pruning with 30 cm intensity.
May pruning with 30 cm intensity recorded best result in fruit diameter, fruit weight and fruit yield.
Among the quality parameters like pulp %, TSS, total sugars and reducing sugars recorded maximum in May pruning 30 cm pruning intensity. Pulp to seed ratio, seed %, acidity, non reducing sugars and shelf life have non significant effect on pruning time and intensity. Phenol content was recorded minimum in may pruning with 30 cm pruning intensity.
In conclusion, May pruning with 30 cm intensity recorded significantly highest fruit yield per plant without impairing the quality of fruit followed by 20 cm pruning intensity.
Description
Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) can be called as a delicacy of dry region due to its very sweet delicate flesh. It belongs to family Annonaceae and originated in tropical region of America. It is a deciduous or semi deciduous tall woody shrub of about 5-6 meters height having irregularly spreading branches. Plants exhibit leaf shedding in winter season and production of flowers on new shoots indicating the need for pruning to boost up production. To evaluate the effect of pruning studies were conducted on the influence of time and intensity of pruning on growth, yield and quality of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) cv. Balanagar” were carried out during the period from March, 2015 to December, 2015 at Fruit Research Station (FRS), Sangareddy, Medak District, SKLTSHU, Telangana.
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Citation
Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad