Effect of foliar boron application on panicle growth, fruit retention and physico-chemical characters of mango cv. Himsagar

摘要

Boron is an important micro-element governing many physiological and bio-chemical plant processes. Its beneficial effects on horticultural crops have been reported (Dutta et al., 1) but information on the effect of boric acid on flowering, fruit retention and physico-chemical characters of Himsagar mango is scanty. It was therefore proposed to study the effect of boric acid on panicle growth, fruit retention and physico-chemical characters of Himsagar mango. The experiment was conducted at the Regional Research Sub-station, BCKV, Sekhampur during 2000-2001. Ten-year-old mango trees receiving uniform cultural practices were selected. A randomised block design with three replications was followed taking one tree as the treatment unit. The boric acid solution in water of zero, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm was sprayed on the trees to runoff at the late bud swelling stage. The observations on length of panicles, diameter of rachis, percentage of hermaphrodite flower, fruit retention and physical characters of mature fruit were recorded. The chemical composition of ripe fruits were also assessed, i.e. total soluble solids, total sugars, titratable acid and ascorbic acid contents.