RESPONSEOF DATE PALM CULTIVARS TO VARYING CONCENTRATION OF ETHEPHON ON YIELD AND YIELD ATTRIBUTING CHARACTERS

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at Date Palm Research Station, R.A.U., Bikaner to see the response of ethephon spray on yield and yield attributing characters in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars under hot arid region. The study revealed that the maximum weight of fruit and fruit size (length, breadth and volume) was observed in cultivar Halawy. The number of fruits/strand, number of bunch/per tree and bunch weight was recorded highest under cultivar Zahidi. But, the fruit yield/tree was observed maximum in cultivar Halawy . The fruit length, breadth and volume were found maximum under the treatment of ethephon at 1000 ppm when it was sprayed after colour breaking stage. The application of ethephon was also produced more bunch weight and fruit yield/tree. The less number of days in attaining fruit colour and maturity were counted minimum under the concentration of 1000 ppm than the control and other concentrations employed. Spray of 1000 ppm ethephon at colour breaking stage was found beneficial for uniform maturity, ripening and production of better quality fruits in date palm.