Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF CHEMICALS ON FLOWERING AND FRUITING IN MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L.) CV. KESHAR

B.V. Garad, S.M. Jogdand, Vidya More and S.S. KulKarni

Abstract

The present investigation, “Effect of chemicals on flowering and fruit set in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Keshar” was carried out at Instructional-Cum-Research Orchard of the Department of Horticulture, M.P.K.V., Rahuri during 2009-10.The chemicals K2HPO4 1 % and KH2PO4 1 % were sprayed in the second week of October 2009, whereas the chemicals KNO3 1 % and Thiourea 1 % were sprayed in the third week of November 2009. The maximum panicle length (34.41 cm) was observed by spraying of K2HPO4 1 % + KNO3 1 %. The treatment KH2-PO4 1 % + KNO3 1 % increased percentage of hermaphrodite flowers (18.53), the number of fruits set per panicle at marble stage (6.53) and final fruit retention per panicle (2.53). The number of fruits set per panicle at pea stage was maximum (9.50) in the treatment KH2-PO4 1 % + Thiourea 1 %. The treatment K2HPO4 1 % + KNO3 1 % increased fruit length (11.50 cm), diameter (7.80 cm) and average weight of fruit(280.36 g). The overall results indicated that the foliar spray of KH2-PO4 1 %+ KNO3 1 % seems to be beneficial for increasing the flowering, fruit set and improving the fruit size and weight of mango cv. Keshar.