Alteration in Flowering and Fruiting of Commercial Vegetable Crops under Protected Condition: A Review

Abstract

India ranks as the second-largest global vegetable producer, yet its current productivity falls short of meeting the nutritional requirements of its expanding population. The country boasts an impressive array of vegetable varieties, spanning from tropical to subtropical and temperate regions. The adoption of protected cultivation for high-value crops has emerged as a pivotal technology to enhance productivity, elevate quality, and secure profitable returns. Optimal production quality can be ensured by implementing precise crop management techniques under controlled conditions, enabling the cultivation of two to three high-yield crops annually. Crop regulation planning entails the identification, selection, implementation, and monitoring of strategies to govern the yield and quality of vegetable crops. The timing of flowering can be strategically manipulated, either advanced or delayed, in response to market demand, leveraging a range of tools and techniques for flowering and fruit regulation. In pursuit of sustainability, it becomes imperative to maximize food production within limited areas. Employing flowering and fruiting regulation methods holds the promise of augmenting yields and, consequently, overall productivity, ultimately addressing the nutritional needs of a larger segment of the population.