Effect of leaf to fruit ratio on growth, yield and quality of custard apple cv. GJCA-1

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of leaf to fruit ratio on growth, yield and quality of custard apple. The research conducted at FRS, Madhadi baug, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat). The treatments were imposed in the second week of August (When fruit attain marble size). The treatments comprised of eight level viz., T1: (Leaf: fruit, 4:1), T2: (Leaf: fruit, 6:1), T3: (Leaf: fruit, 8:1), T4: (Leaf: fruit, 10:1), T5: (Leaf: fruit, 12:1), T6: (Leaf: fruit, 14:1), T7: (Leaf: fruit, 16:1), T8: Control. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Among different treatments, T6 (Leaf: fruit, 14:1) increased leaf area, chlorophyll content, leaf carbohydrates, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, fruit volume, yield (Kg/plant) and yield (T/ha), T3 (Leaf: fruit, 8:1) increased pulp weight, pulp: seed ratio and pulp: rind ratio and T5 (Leaf: fruit, 12: 1) increased total sugar, reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar.