Journal of Horticultural Sciences

K. S. Navaneethakrishnan ¹, H. S. Dhaliwal ¹, M. I. S. Gill ¹, J. S. Brar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, IN

Abstract

In ratoon crop of banana cv. Grande Naine, date of shooting could be advanced by 35 days with application of 200g N in 5 splits + 60g P₂O₅ (86 days), compared to 300g N in 5 splits + 60g P₂O₅ (121 days). Subsequently, date of harvest also got advanced by 53 days, and fruits were harvested on 9^th December in the same treatment. Higher dose of N fertilization delayed shooting and harvesting period, taking 121 days for shooting and 145 days from shooting to harvest in the treatment 300g N (5 split doses) + 90g P₂O₅. Various N and P treatments affected bunch weight and number of hands per bunch significantly. Although N and P combination-treatments had no significant effect on bunch weight or number of hands per bunch, application of 200g N in 5 splits and 60g P₂O₅ per plant gave maximum bunch weight (18.11kg) and number of hands per bunch (10.61). Minimum bunch weight (15.37kg) and the least number of hands per bunch (7.08) were obtained with 150g N in 5 splits + 90g P₂O₅. Hand-weight (2.20kg), number of fingers per hand (19.75), and finger length (20.30cm) was highest with application of 200g N in 5 splits + 60g P₂O₅ per plant. Least hand-weight (1.64kg), number of fingers per hand (15.77), and finger-length (17.92cm) was recorded with 150g N in 5 splits + 90g P₂O₅. Bunch weight, number of hands per bunch, hand-weight and number of fingers per hand too was affected significantly with sole application of nitrogen or phosphorus.

Keywords

Banana, Fertilization, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Yield.

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J. S. Brar ¹, H. S. Dhaliwal ², J. S. Bal ¹, W. S. Dhillon ¹, Som Pal Singh ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, IN
2 Regional Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Bathinda, Punjab-151001, IN
3 Deaprtment of Agrometeorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004, IN

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to examine the effect of spacing on variation in canopy microclimate, vegetative growth and yield attributes in guava (cv. Allahabad Safeda). Oservations revealed that with wide plant spacing (from 6x2m to 6x4m), interception of solar radiation increased significantly. Similarly, with increase in spacing between plants, mean canopy temperature was need to increase while relative humidity decreased. Plant growth in terms of stock and scion girth, tree spread (N-S) and canopy volume increased with wide plant spacing, while tree height decreased with increase in plant spacing. Number of fruits per plant, yield per plant and fruiting density was higher at 6x5m and least in 6x2m spacing. Wider plant spacing was found to be better owing to maximum absorption of solar radiation and optimum microclimate in the orchard leading to better yield in plants, higher fruiting density and yield efficiency. However, yield/ha was maximum in 6x2m spacing during rainy season and in 6x3m spacing during winter.

Keywords

Guava, Plant Spacing, Microclimate, Growth, Yield.

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J. S. Brar ¹, J. S. Bal ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, IN
2 Regional Research Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Bathinda – 151 001 (Punjab), IN

Abstract

A study on 4-year 'Allahabad Safeda' guava plants was made to assess the influence of Paclobutrazol (PP 333), [(2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4 triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol], a gibberellin-inhibitor, and Ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid], a vegetative growth inhibitor and a ripening promoter, on reproductive growth of plants. Treatments in the form of foliar application at 500 and 1000 ppm were applied consecutively during March 2007 and 2008 on plants at 6m x 2m, 6m x 3m, 6m x 4m and 6m x 5m spacing. Maximum flowering and fruit set was recorded in paclobutrazol treated plants in both rainy and winter crops. Ethephon reduced flower bud density (FBD) and fruit set during both the cropping seasons. However, Ethephon treated plants exhibited slightly higher fruit retention. Ethephon advances fruit maturity by upto a week during rainy season and two weeks during winter season. Paclobutrazol treated plants exhibited significantly higher fruit number, fruit yield, yield efficiency, fruiting density compared to Ethephon treated and control plants. Reproductive growth of plants at wider spacing of 6m x 5m and 6m x 4m significantly improved compared to closer spacings of 6m x 2m and 6m x 3m during both cropping seasons. Plants at wider spacing responded better to Paclobutrazol applications with respect to flowering and fruiting.

Keywords

Guava, Paclobutrazol, Ethephon, Flowering and Fruiting.

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