Effect of De-blossoming Treatments on Physical Characteristics of Different Mango Varieties during Off-season Fruit Production under South Gujarat Conditions

Abstract

An investigation was conducted during 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons under South Gujarat conditions to study the impact of de-blossoming in six mango varieties during regular flowering season on off season fruiting characters. The investigation consisted of four de-blossoming treatments i.e. foliar sprays of Naphthalene Acetic Acid at 400 and 800 ppm, hand de-blossoming and untreated trees which were imposed on six mango varieties i.e. Amrapali, Baramasi, Neelphanso, Neelum, Ratna and Totapuri. The trial was evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with factorial concept. De-blossoming was done at full bloom stage for induction of off season flowering. Results indicated that in regular season cultivar ‘Totapuri’ recorded significantly higher fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width and fruit volume during 2013-14 and 2014-15. With regard to off-season fruiting, significantly maximum value of the above traits was observed in ‘Ratna’ cultivar. Fruit weight, volume, length and width were lowest in cv. ‘Neelphanso’ in regular as well as in off-season. Hand de-blossoming was found superior over control for fruit weight and fruit volume in all the varieties selected for this study in the coastal climate of South Gujarat.