Effect of hand pollination on fruit set, and yield of custard apple

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of hand pollination on fruit set, quality and yield of custard apple” was conducted during 2024-25 at Central Research Station, Dr. PDKV, Akola. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments, including natural pollination and hand pollination with 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 flowers per plant, replicated thrice on 16-year-old trees of custard apple. Hand pollination significantly enhanced fruit set at pea stage (97.51%) and marble stages (95.89%), improved fruit yield (24.54 kg/plant) and (9.80 t/ha). Maximum fruit weight (373.83 g), pulp weight (190.93 g), were recorded in hand-pollinated treatments, especially with 40-90 flowers. Higher proportions of Grade I fruits, Grade II fruits were observed under moderate flower retention. The study concludes that hand pollination with 40 to 90 flowers per plant is optimal for achieving superior fruit yield in custard apple cv. Balanagar.