Articles
Manipulation in jujube crop culture using plant growth regulators for better sustainability
Article number
1350_28
Pages
239 – 246
Language
English
Abstract
Indian jujube or ber is the most common fruit crop grown in arid and irrigated zones of India which is cultivated practically all over the country for its fresh consumption.
Manipulation in crop culture practices becomes necessary for economic and commercial ber production.
Bulk of immature fruits dropped during initial stage of growth and development due to hormonal imbalance, abortion of embryo, incidence of diseases and inclement weather.
Fruit drop may occur due to premature formation of abscission layer in the stalk of mature fruit.
Adverse climatic conditions during December-January in north India also cause substantial fruit drop.
Severe cold and cold waves blow during this period leads to heavy leaf fall and fruit drop. 50% Umran ber fruits remain very small and drop before maturity which adversely affects the yield and profit to the growers.
Nearly 20-30% fruits attained marketable size of 25-30 g fruit‑1. Soft texture ber cultivars like Sanaur-2, Gola, ZG-2 and Kaithli are prone to splitting due to their soft skin and high total soluble solids at maturity.
Rise in temperature in March, endogenous level of growth hormones, irregular irrigation interval and varietal characters contribute towards fruit cracking.
Two sprays of NAA at 30 ppm once in 2nd fortnight of October and again in 2nd fortnight of November effectively control fruit drop and reduce fruit cracking.
Foliar application of NAA 10-25 ppm at fruit set (October 15) and slow growth phase (December 10) improved fruit size, fruit weight and quality of Umran ber significantly.
The commercial cultivar Umran in northern India ripening date is from end March to the first fortnight of April.
All the ber fruits on the tree do not ripen simultaneously, thus 4-5 pickings are made.
Ethephon at 400-500 ppm at colour break stage when about 60% fruits changed from greenish yellow (1st week of March) to light golden yellow (2nd fortnight of March) advances ripening of Umran ber by two weeks.
Dipping of Umran fruits in ethephon 2000 ppm for 2 min regardless the stage of maturity enhanced the ripening percentage and developed the best colour of fruits after ripening.
Delaying the picking of fruits to later maturity stages resulted in higher TSS, vitamin C, total sugars and PME activity and lower acidity and total phenolics.
NAA at 25 ppm in Umran and 40 ppm in Sanaur-2 improved fruit quality.
Postharvest life of Umran fruits could be extended up to 20 days in commercial cold store at temp. 0-3.3°C and RH 85-90%, by treating with GA3 25 ppm after harvest (4th week of March) and packing in CFB boxes.
Ethephon at 400-500 ppm and morphactin at 10-25 ppm treated Umran ber at colour break stage resulted in lower PME activity in cold storage.
Manipulation in crop culture practices becomes necessary for economic and commercial ber production.
Bulk of immature fruits dropped during initial stage of growth and development due to hormonal imbalance, abortion of embryo, incidence of diseases and inclement weather.
Fruit drop may occur due to premature formation of abscission layer in the stalk of mature fruit.
Adverse climatic conditions during December-January in north India also cause substantial fruit drop.
Severe cold and cold waves blow during this period leads to heavy leaf fall and fruit drop. 50% Umran ber fruits remain very small and drop before maturity which adversely affects the yield and profit to the growers.
Nearly 20-30% fruits attained marketable size of 25-30 g fruit‑1. Soft texture ber cultivars like Sanaur-2, Gola, ZG-2 and Kaithli are prone to splitting due to their soft skin and high total soluble solids at maturity.
Rise in temperature in March, endogenous level of growth hormones, irregular irrigation interval and varietal characters contribute towards fruit cracking.
Two sprays of NAA at 30 ppm once in 2nd fortnight of October and again in 2nd fortnight of November effectively control fruit drop and reduce fruit cracking.
Foliar application of NAA 10-25 ppm at fruit set (October 15) and slow growth phase (December 10) improved fruit size, fruit weight and quality of Umran ber significantly.
The commercial cultivar Umran in northern India ripening date is from end March to the first fortnight of April.
All the ber fruits on the tree do not ripen simultaneously, thus 4-5 pickings are made.
Ethephon at 400-500 ppm at colour break stage when about 60% fruits changed from greenish yellow (1st week of March) to light golden yellow (2nd fortnight of March) advances ripening of Umran ber by two weeks.
Dipping of Umran fruits in ethephon 2000 ppm for 2 min regardless the stage of maturity enhanced the ripening percentage and developed the best colour of fruits after ripening.
Delaying the picking of fruits to later maturity stages resulted in higher TSS, vitamin C, total sugars and PME activity and lower acidity and total phenolics.
NAA at 25 ppm in Umran and 40 ppm in Sanaur-2 improved fruit quality.
Postharvest life of Umran fruits could be extended up to 20 days in commercial cold store at temp. 0-3.3°C and RH 85-90%, by treating with GA3 25 ppm after harvest (4th week of March) and packing in CFB boxes.
Ethephon at 400-500 ppm and morphactin at 10-25 ppm treated Umran ber at colour break stage resulted in lower PME activity in cold storage.
Publication
Authors
J.S. Bal
Keywords
fruit drop, fruit cracking, fold, fruit quality, shelf life, NAA, ethephon, Umran, wallaiti
Groups involved
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