Changes in fruit quality parameters in Japanese plum CV. Kala Amritsari with chemical flower thinning

Abstract

The excessive flowering and fruiting leads to production of poor quality fruits in Japanese plum cv. Kala Amritsari. The crop load needs to be managed in such a way that without reducing yield, proper fruit size and quality is maintained. There are various approaches for reducing final number of fruits per tree viz. inhibition of fruit bud differentiation, fruitlet thinning and blossom thinning. The flower thinning chemicals (urea4% & 6%; Ammonium Thiosulphate 2% & 4%; NAA 20 ppm & 40 ppm) were applied as foliar spray at full bloom stage to reduced number of fruits and corresponding improvement in fruit quality. The fruit weight (16.61g, 14.96g) and TSS (13.80 oBrix, 13.90 oBrix) were recorded maximum with the application of ATS (4%) followed by ATS (2%). The quality parameters were minimum in control fruits when compared with fruits from flower thinned trees.