Synergistic influence of plant growth regulators and micronutrients on mitigation of fruit drop and enhancement of physico-chemical characteristics in Kinnow mandarin
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55627/pbulletin.005.01.1790Keywords:
auxin, citrus, fruit quality, fruit taste, physiological, ripening indexAbstract
A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of various plant growth regulators (PGRs) in conjunction with micronutrients on fruit drop and the physico-chemical characteristics of Kinnow mandarin. The present study used 14 distinct treatments consisting of PGRs and micronutrients at varying doses with control treatment. The results indicated that the higher fruit retention and lowest pea stage, June and preharvest drop was observed in treatment NAA 40 ppm + ZnSO4 0.5% as compared to control treatment. The application of NAA 20 ppm + ZnSO4 0.5% exhibited the higher fruit weight and fruit length while higher fruit breadth and fruit volume was observed in Kinnow fruits treated with 2,4-D 20 ppm + ZnSO4 0.5% as compared to control untreated fruits. Furthermore, fruits treated with NAA 40 ppm + ZnSO4 0.5% demonstrated higher TSS, TA, and ripening index. Similarly, 2,4-D 10 ppm + Borax 0.5% exhibited a highest juice weight, peel weight and rag weight compared to the control treatment. In conclusion among applied treatments, NAA 40 ppm + ZnSO4 0.5%, NAA 20 ppm + ZnSO4 0.5%, 2,4-D 20 ppm + ZnSO4 0.5% and 2,4-D 10 ppm + Borax 0.5% was shown to be the most effective to mitigate fruit drop and enhance the physico-chemical characteristics of Kinnow mandarin.
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