Study on the Kinetics and Causes of Fruit Drop in Bael (Aegle marmelos Correa)

摘要

The investigation was carried out to study the kinetics and causes of fruit drop in four varieties of Bael viz., Pant Aparna, Pant Shivani, Pant Sujata and Pant Urvashi. Fruit drop was recorded high in the month of July in all four varieties which continued till harvest. The fruit drop showed the second peak in the month of February. The average nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents of leaves were 0.88-0.98, 0.29-0.35, 1.02-1.19, 1.29-1.82 and 0.34-0.42%, respectively. The range of zinc, copper, iron, manganese and boron content of leaves was 37.36-33.05, 26.12-21.03, 146.17-136.96, 201.69-163.93 and 20.02-23.51 ppm, respectively. It was observed that fruit drop in Bael occurred due to embryo abortion, physiological imbalances, fruit borer attack, fruit rotting and fruit cracking. Maximum fruit drop and cracking were recorded in Pant Sujata. The maximum yield was observed with Pant Shivani.