Effect of paclobutrazol and summer pruning on growth, yield and quality of apple cv. Red Delicious

150 Pages·2013·2.15 MB·English

by  Naira Ashraf

Effect of paclobutrazol and summer pruning on growth,
yield and quality of apple cv. Red Delicious

Naira Ashraf
(2010-311-D)

Division of Fruit Science
Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &
Technology of Kashmir

2013
Effect of paclobutrazol and summer pruning on growth,
yield and quality of apple cv. Red Delicious

Naira Ashraf
(2010-311-D)

Thesis

Submitted to

The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &
Technology of Kashmir
in partial fulfilment of requirements for the award of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture
(Fruit Science)
2013

Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Division of Fruit Science, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar – 191 121

Certificate – I

This is to certify that the thesis entitled, “Effect of
paclobutrazol and summer pruning on growth, yield and quality
of apple cv. Red Delicious” submitted in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
in Horticulture (Fruit Science), to the Faculty of Postgraduate
Studies, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &
Technology of Kashmir is a record of bonafide research work
carried out by Ms. Naira Ashraf (Regd. No. 2010-311-D) under my
supervision and guidance. No part of the thesis has been submitted for
any other degree or diploma.
It is further certified that any help or information received
during the course of investigation has duly been acknowledged.

( Dr. M.Y. Bhat )
Chairman
Advisory Committee

Endorsed

Prof. & Head,
Division of Fruit Science

4
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Division of Fruit Science, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar – 191 121

Certificate – II

We, the members of the Advisory Committee of Ms. Naira
Ashraf (Regd. No. 2010-311-D), a candidate for the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy in Horticulture (Fruit Science) have gone through the
manuscript of the thesis entitled, “Effect of paclobutrazol and
summer pruning on growth, yield and quality of apple cv. Red
Delicious” and recommend that it may be submitted by the student in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree.

Advisory Committee

Chairman Dr. M.Y. Bhat
Associate Professor,
Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-
Kashmir, Shalimar

Members
Dr. M.K. Sharma
Assistant Professor,
Division of Fruit Science

Dr. F.A. Khan
Assistant Professor (Plant Physiology),
Division of Post Harvest Technology

Dr. Javaid Ahmad Wani
Associate Professor,
Division of Soil Science

Dean PG Nominee Dr. Sheikh Bilal Ahmad
Professor/Chief Scientist,
Division of Entomology
5
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Shalimar Campus, Srinagar – 191 121

Certificate – III

This is to certify that the thesis entitled, “Effect of
paclobutrazol and summer pruning on growth, yield and quality
of apple cv. Red Delicious” submitted by Ms. Naira Ashraf (Regd.
No. 2010-311-D) to the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, Sher-e-
Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of
Kashmir in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award
of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture (Fruit
Science) was examined and approved by the Advisory Committee and
External Examiner on …………….

Chairman External Examiner
Advisory Committee

Prof. & Head,
Division of Fruit Science

Director Resident Instruction-cum-Dean
Postgraduate Studies, SKUAST-K

6
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Division of Fruit Science, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-191121

Name of the student : Naira Ashraf
Registration No. : 2010-311-D
Major Subject : Fruit Science
Minor Subject : Soil Science/Plant Physiology
Major Advisor : Dr. M.Y. Bhat
Associate Professor,
Division of Fruit Science,
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar
Title of the Thesis : “Effect of paclobutrazol and summer
pruning on growth, yield and quality of
apple cv. Red Delicious”

ABSTRACT

Investigation on “Effect of paclobutrazol and summer pruning on growth, yield
and quality of apple cv. Red Delicious” was carried out in the experimental orchard of
Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and
Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar during the years 2011 and 2012. Above twenty five
years old trees of apple cv. Red Delicious with uniform vigour and health under uniform
cultural practices were selected for the experiment. The selected trees were sprayed with
paclobutrazol at (250 ppm, 500 ppm and 750 ppm) four weeks after full bloom followed
by summer pruning (I and II) eight and twelve weeks after full bloom, respectively.
Vegetative and phenological stages of the fruit trees were recorded and the fruit samples
with respect to size, weight, volume, colour change, firmness, organoleptic rating,
physiological loss in weight, spoilage, acid content, total soluble solids, sugars (total,
reducing and non-reducing sugars) and calcium content at regular interval of 10 days and
the last sample drawn at 30 days after storage were studied. Results revealed that trees
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treated with 750 ppm paclobutrazol + summer pruning (I and II) caused minimum
vegetative growth with increased fruit yield and return bloom. The fruit also retained
better quality characteristics under ambient storage conditions for a period of 30 days.
Key words: Apple, paclobutrazol, summer pruning and quality.

Signature of Student Signature of Major Advisor

Dated____________ Dated _________________

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
(In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent and the most Merciful)
They said Glory be to You!!!!
We have no knowledge except what You taught us.
‘You are All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’(Qur’an, 2:32)

consider it my greatest privilege to record my deep sense of gratitude with
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high veneration to esteemed chairman of my Advisory Committee, Dr. M.Y.
Bhat, Associate Professor, Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-K for his
constant moral encouragement and inspiration, persistent attention,
sagacious guidance, sound counselling and meticulous supervision during the
entire course of investigation which enabled me to accomplish this task.
With high veneration, the important acknowledgement is to the members
of my advisory committee, Dr. M. K. Sharma, Assistant Professor, Division of
Fruit science; Dr. F. A. Khan, Associate Professor, Division of Post Harvest
Technology, Dr. J. A. Wani, Associate Professor, Division of Soil Science and
Dr. Sheikh Bilal Ahmad, Professor, Division of Entomology (Dean PG
Nominee) for their intellectual guidance, unrelenting help, valuable suggestions
and constant encouragement during the course of programme and preparation of
this thesis.
I also convey my deep sense of gratitude and heartiest thanks to Dr. F.
A. Banday, Professor and Head, Division of Fruit Science for his thoughtful
suggestions and benevolent guidance during this programme.
With everlasting and great pride, I express my deep and sincere
appreciation for Professor F. A. Misgar, Division of Fruit science and Dr.
Shakeel A. Mir, Division of Agricultural Statistics for his everwilling and kind
help from time to time.
I acknowledge gratefully the assistance and help rendered, during the
study, by Laboratory and Farm staff of Division of Fruit Science especially
Mr. Mohammad Yousuf, Mr. Farooq and Mr. Bilal.
I feel conscious to express my ever indebtedness and most hearty devotion
to my beloved parents ‘Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Janwari’ and ‘Mrs. Mashqor
Ashraf’ whose patience, encouragement, inspiration, assistance and blessings
have enabled me to complete this task. I feel immense pleasure in expressing my
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sentiments and emotions to my dearest sister, Ms Moieza Ashraf whose constant
inspiration and good wishes helped me during the course of investigation.
Mere words are insufficient to express thanks to my friends and
colleagues Ms. Aroosa Khalil, Ms. Nowsheen Nazir and Mr. Imtiyaz Ah. Wani
for supporting, encouraging and helping me whenever I needed during the course
of investigation.
Last but not the least, I wish to record my thanks with gratitude to my
well wishers who rendered their helping hand knowingly or unknowingly.
Needless to say, errors and omissions are solely mine. To err is human.

NNNNaaaaiiiirrrraaaa AAAAsssshhhhrrrraaaaffff
Place : Shalimar, Srinagar
Dated :

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