Induction of Flowering by Girdling in Jamun cv. Konkan Bahadoli

Abstract

Jamun (Syzygium cuminii) is an underexploited fruit crop gifted with abundant nutritional and medicinal values. In spite of its greater economic value, farmers are reluctant to establish jamun orchards as flowering is the major constraint. The prebearing age of jamun is fairly long even in grafts. It takes about 6 to 7 years for commencement of flowering and many times this period is extended up to 10 years. An experiment was therefore undertaken under two distinct locations having different weather conditions to study the efficiency of girdling for induction of flowering in jamun under Maharashtra conditions. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design with five treatments viz. T1- Deep cut on secondary branches, T2 – Deep cut on tertiary branches, T3- Removal of 3 mm bark on secondary branches, T4- Removal of 3 mm bark on tertiary branches and T5- Control (No girdling). Results indicated that girdling was beneficial in jamun for induction of flowering, greater flowering intensity, more number of flowers and fruits per branchlet, reduced period from flowering to harvesting and higher yield as compared to control plants. Tertiary branches were found to be more appropriate location for girdling than secondary branches. Girdling with deep cut without removal of bark was more beneficial than the removal of bark. T2 was the best treatment of girdling in jamun.