Studies on foliar application of chemicals on flowering, yield and quality of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in hasta bahar

Introduction

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit can be considered as old as human life. Pomegranate is native to Iran and the Himalayas and is the most historic fruit tree domesticated for its innumerable health benefits. Folk medicines have been using this tree for a long time and its use in modern-day medicine continues. All parts of this miracle tree-roots, stems, leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, seeds, rind, etc. are being exploited in pharmacy, the leather or dye industry or for decorative value. The total area under cultivation of pomegranate in India is (246000 ha) and production is around (2865000 MT) (Anon. 2018-19). In India, pomegranate is commercially cultivated in Maharashtra followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana. The prominent pomegranate producing districts in Maharashtra are Solapur, Nashik, Sangli, Ahmednagar, Pune, Dhule, Aurangabad, Satara, Osmanabad and Latur. The pomegranate plant flower and provide fruit throughout the year in central and southern India however, it needs to be thrown into rest period so as to enable prolific harvest at a given time.

Looking to the pattern of precipitation, flowering can be induced during January-February (ambia bahar), June-July (mrig bahar) and September-October (hast bahar). Water stress induces flowering in a stipulated period which ultimately leads to proper management and thereby receiving good quality of yield. (Durgude, et al. 2019) [9] . The flowering habit of pomegranate is influenced by the prevailing climatic conditions of the geographical region where it is being grown (Pareek and Sharma, 1993) [20] .

Material and Methods

The present investigation entitled "Studies on foliar application of chemicals on yield and quality of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in hasta bahar" was conducted on farmer's (Shri Dhananjay Hajgude) field at village Kini Taluka and District-Osmanabad during the year 2020-21. Geographically Osmanabad district lies in the southern part of state. It lies on the Deccan plateau, about 600 m above sea level. The district located on the east side of the Marathwada region between latitude 17 0 35' to 18 0 40' north and latitude 75 0 16' to 76 0 40' east with geographical area 7569 km 2 .

The data obtained in respect of various observations were subjected to the statistical analysis as per procedure given by Panse and Sukhatme (1985) [19] for completely randomized design and critical difference has been calculated at 5 percent level of significance.

Methodology

The experiment was carried out during hasta bahar of 2020-21. The pomegranate plants were grown on light soil of the five years age having uniform growth and vigour were subjected to bahar treatment by giving water stress from September month. The foliar spray of different chemical treatments on tagged tree was done in three stages: first spray was given one month prior to bud break stage, second spray at full bloom stage and third spray one month after second spray. First flow of light irrigation was given to break the bahar treatment then irrigations were given as per the need through drip to all the experimental plants particularly during fruit development stage to harvest of the crop.

Treatment details

Flowering parameters Male flower

The total number of male flowers which were bell shape flower structure and contains pollen grains and no pistil or infertile ovary were counted and expressed in numbers.

Perfect (Hermaphrodite) flower

The total number of perfect flowers which were vase shape structure and fertile with normal ovary and capable of developing fruit while stigma was covered with functional anthers were counted and expressed in numbers.

Total number of flowers

Total sum of male flower and hermaphrodite (perfect) flower on experimental tree were counted and summed up to obtain total number of flower and expressed in numbers.

The percentage of fruit set was calculated and expressed in per cent (%).

The length of the fruit represented the distance between the distal end of the fruit. This was measured in cm with the help of vernier caliper and average length was worked out.

Diameter of selected fruits was measured with the help of vernier caliper at the middle portion with maximum thickness and averages were worked out and recorded as fruit diameter in centimeter.

The volume of each fruit was obtained in ml through water displacement technique (Archimedes principle) by measuring with the help of volumetric beaker. The mean volume of the five fruits for each treatment was calculated separately.

Number of arils per fruit

All the arils from five fruits per treatment were separated and the average number of arils per fruit was calculated and expressed in numbers.

Aril weight per fruit (g) Arils of selected five fruits were weighted with the help of electronic weight balance and average were calculate in grams (g).

The peel weight of five uniform fruits per treatments were recorded and the average peel weight was calculated in gram (g).

Five matured fruits from each of the treatment combinations were randomly selected at field level and each fruit was weighed on electronic balance and average weight of the fruit per treatment was computed in gram (g).

Fruit yield per plant (kg/plant) Yield per plant was arrived at by harvesting the total number of fruits produced from selected plants individually and expressed in kilogram (kg/plant).

The fruit yield per hectare was computed by multiplying the yield per plant with the number of plants in one hectare and was expressed in tones per hectare.

The total soluble solid was recorded by Erma hand refractometer (0-32%) by taking three to four drops juice of arils on prism of the refractometer and observing against the light. The refractometer calibrated with distilled water before use.

Reducing sugars of juice were determined by method and given by Ranganna (1986). The percentage of reducing sugar was calculated according to following formula.

The quantity of non-reducing sugars was calculated by the subtracting the reducing sugar from the total sugars and multiplying the difference by a factor 0.95 as given in A.O.A.C. (1975) [1] .

Non reducing sugars = Total sugars-reducing sugars) x 0.95

Total sugars of juice were estimated by method given by Ranganna (1986).

The titrable acidity of the juice extract was determined according to A.O.A.C. (1975) [1] method by titrating the extract against 0.1 N NaOH using Phenolphthalein as indicator. Ten ml of juice was taken in conical flask and volume was made to up 100 ml with distilled water. 10 ml of aliquot was titrated against standard 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution using phenolphthalein as an indicator until permanent faint pink colour developed. The titrable acidity was calculated and expressed in terms of anhydrous citric acid as percent.

Benefit: cost ratio (B: C)

Treatment-wise cost of cultivation was worked out. The total expenditure on cultivation and management of crop was recorded in terms of rupees and per hectare cost of cultivation was calculated. The gross monetary returns per hectare was worked out considering the average prevailing price. The net returns were calculated by subtracting the cost of cultivation from gross returns and B: C ratio was worked out by using following formula:

Results and Discussion

Flowering parameters Number of male flowers

The number of male flowers of pomegranate cv. Bhagwa as influenced by foliar spray of different chemicals is presented in Table 1. The number of male flowers ranged from 45.15 to 57.33 in different treatments under study. Significantly less number of male flowers were recorded in the treatment applied with Ethrel 3% + 0.2% ZnSO4 + 0.2% Boric acid (45.1), however was found at par with the treatment T7 (47.34) and T2 (49.67). Less number of male flowers were treatment T2 (49. (2014) [17] in mango and Ashraf et al. (2013) in kinnow [17] in mango and Ashraf et al.

The fruit length ranged from 8.68 cm to 10.37 cm in different treatments. Significantly maximum fruit length of pomegranate was recorded in the treatment applied with Potassium nitrate 3% + 0.2% ZnSO4 + 0.2% Boric acid (10.37 cm) over rest of the treatments under study. It was followed by the treatment T9 (10.01 cm). The next best treatments were T2 (9.53 cm), T1 (9.39 cm) and T6 (9.37 cm) and were found at par with each other. The remaining treatment showed intermediate results and

were at par with each other. The minimum fruit weight of control (8.68 cm) was recorded in treatment control. The results are in line with the findings of Gill and Bal (2009) [12] , Burondkar et al. (2009), Manju (2016) and Sharma et al. (2016) [28] .

The fruit diameter of pomegranate ranged from 7. [27] . These findings are also in conformity with the work of Gill et al. (2012) [13] in pear and Ramesh et al. (2016) [24] in custard apple.

The fruit volume of pomegranate ranged from 225. [8] , Pandey et al. (1988) [18] and Sarrwy (2012) [27] .

The peel weight of fruit ranged from 68.40 g to 85.85 g in different treatments in present study. Significantly less peel weight of fruit was recorded in the treatment T9 (68.40 g) over rest of the treatments under study, however was found at par with the treatment T10. The next best treatments which showed less peel weight were treatment T3, T5 and T6 and were found at par with each other. The treatments T6, T4, T2 and T7 showed intermediate results and were at par with each other. The maximum peel weight of pomegranate fruit (85.85 g) was recorded in treatment control. The experimental findings are similar to Ramesh et al. (2016) [24] and Pippal et al. (2019) [22] . [8] and Gaikwad et al. (2019) [10] in pomegranate which supports present findings.

The [8] and Waskela et al. (2013) [34] . [35] also reported similar findings of Gajarmal (2014) [11] and Reddy (2010) [26] .

The yield per plant ranged from (2011) [31] in mango which corroborate present findings.

The yield per hectare ranged from 5.04 t/ha to 9.64 t/ha in different treatments of present study. Significantly maximum yield per hectare (9.64 t/ha) of pomegranate was recorded in the treatment Salicylic acid 200 ppm + 0.2% ZnSO4 + 0.2% Boric acid over rest of the treatments under study, however was found at par with the treatment T5 (9.07 t/ha), T2 (8.96 t/ha) and T1 (8.91 t/ha). The next best treatment was T10 (8.82 t/ha). The treatment T9 and T4 showed intermediate results and were at par with each other. The treatment control recorded minimum yield per hectare of pomegranate (5.04 t/ha) in present study.

The findings of the present study revealed that there was significant increase in the total soluble solids with the treatments applied with foliar sprays of different chemicals in comparison with control treatment. [23] , Sarrwy (2012) [27] , Gill and Bal (2009) [12] .

The titrable acidity of fruits ranged from 0 (2011) [35] and Prasad et al. (2015) [23] . [30] recorded significant increase in reducing sugar in guava pulp with foliar spray of zinc sulphate @ 0.40% Waskela et al. (2013) [34] which supports present findings.

Non reducing sugar of fruits ranged from [23] and Patoliya et al. (2017) [21] . [15] .

Benefit: cost ratio (B: C) B: C ratio as influenced by the foliar sprays of different chemicals revealed differences. The treatment applied with Salicylic acid 200 ppm + 0.2% ZnSO4 + 0.2% Boric acid gave the maximum (3.48) B:C ratio during the investigation proved superior over rest of the treatments. The treatment control (2.00) recorded minimum B: C during the experimentation. The results are in confirmation with findings of Vishwakarma (2015) [33] and Sonkariya et al. (2016) in guava.

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