Effect of soil applied paclobutrazol on flowering, fruit set and fruit yield of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. rose scented

Abstract

The litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is the most renowned subtropical evergreen fruit, famous for its deliciously flavored, excellent quality and attractive red colour. Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a cell elongation and internode extension inhibitor that retards plant growth by inhibition of gibberellins biosynthesis. the effect of paclobutrazol at varying time intervals of litchi as soil drench application (1.00-4.00 g a.i. per meter canopy diameter) on flowering, fruiting and yield of litchi was investigated during 2016-18 in Pantnagar condition. Application of paclobutrazol at the rate 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 a.i./tree through soil application method was noted to be more efficient in reducing panicle length, panicle width and advanced the date of panicle emergence. Soil applied paclobutrazol @ 2.0, 3.0 a.i./tree increased the duration of flowering, total number of flowers, male flowers, female flowers, fruit set and fruit yield. the minimum panicle length (20.45 cm) was found in P2 (40 ml/tree) followed by P3 (20.54 cm) and P4 (20.98 cm). However, the maximum panicle length was recorded under control (25.17 cm). the effect of different time intervals showed the lowest panicle length (21.92 cm) in D3 (November). the maximum fruit yield (56.79 kg/ tree) was found in P3 (60 ml/tree) followed by P2 (56.68 kg/tree), while the minimum was recorded under control (44.98 kg/tree).