Induction of flowering by use of chemicals and cincturing in ‘shahi’ litchi

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to induce the flowering in litchi through chemical sprays in young litchi orchard consecutively for 2 years at ICAR-NRC on Litchi, Muzaffarpur (Bihar) with six treatments viz., Ethephon 400 ppm (T1), KNO3 1% (T2), TIBA 1000 ppm (T3), SADH 400 ppm (T4), Cincturing of branches 3 mm wide with 3 mm depth (T5) & Control (T6).Results indicated that panicle emergence was early by 8-12 days in Ethephon 400ppm and delayed by 8-10 days in KNO3 1% application than control. Cincturing of branches recorded highest 60.50%of shoot converted into flowering panicle as compared to 37.50% conversion in control. Ethephon 400ppm advanced the fruit maturity by 7 days followed by KNO3 1% (4 days) than normal date of fruit harvesting (22nd May). Foliar application of KNO3 1% recorded higher fruit weight (20.26 g), fruit length (3.49 cm), fruit breadth (3.00 cm), pulp content (67.68%), TSS (19.74 °Brix), ascorbic acid (49.28 mg), TSS/acid ratio (35.88) and lowest acidity (0.55%).