Assess the effect of pruning and plant growth regulators on growth, flowering and fruiting of ber tree

Abstract

The present study was conducted with objective to know the effect of different pruning intensity and plant growth regulators on growth parameters and fruiting behavior Gola cultivar. The present was comprised four different pruning intensity of previous season growth viz., P0 – no pruning, P1- 25 % pruning, P2- 50 % pruning, P3- 75 % pruning and plant growth regulators viz., C0-control, C1- GA3 @ 10 ppm and C2- NAA @10 ppm. The present study revealed that the maximum plant height and plant spread have been achieved by employing 75% pruning + GA₃ 10ppm (P₃C₁) having significant variations. The highest number of sprouted shoots per branch and shoot length have been obtained by 75% pruning + GA₃ 10ppm (P₃C₁) closely followed by 75% pruning + NAA 10ppm and lowest being in un-pruned shoots + water spray. Early flower initiation was observed with un-pruned shoots (control) as compared to pruned shoots and similar observations have been recorded in case of 50% flowering. Significantly maximum number of fruit set (60.14%), fruit retention (43.80%) were recorded with 50% pruning + GA₃ 10 ppm (C₁) followed by 50% pruning + NAA 10 ppm (P₂C₂).