Study the bio-efficacy and product impact of opteine on fruit set and yield in mango (Mangifera indica) cv. Alphonso

Abstract

Alphonso is one of the choicest variety of mango grown in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Fruit drop is the major problem in mango cv. Alphonso. In order to reduce fruit drop the present investigation entitled “Study the Bio-efficacy and product impact of opteine on fruit set and yield in mango (Mangifera indica) cv. Alphonso” was conducted at Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurle. The foliar spray of opteine was carried out at three times viz., first at full bloom stage, second at 15 days and third at 30 days after first spraying. The experiment was carried out with Randomized Block Design with four replications and six treatments viz., 4ml, 5ml, 6ml, 7.5ml, 12.50 ml opteine/ 10 lit. of water and water as control. The mango tree sprayed with opteine 6ml/ 10 lit. of water concentration was recorded significantly the highest fruit set 12.41, 6.75 and 1.68 per cent fruit per panicle at pea nut stage, marble stage and at harvest, respectively. Significantly the highest fruit weight (270.75 gm), fruit per tree (319.84) and shelf life (15.50 days) was recorded in the treatment T3 (opteine 6 ml/ 10 lit. of water). With regards to chemical composition, T.S.S., acidity, reducing, non reducing and total sugars at ripe stage were better in opteine treated fruits as compared to control. Sensory evaluation of Alphonso mango fruits indicated that T3 treatment (opteine 6ml/10 lit. of water) was superior over control and better than other treated fruits.