INFLUENCE OF CPPU ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER PLANT BIO-REGULATORS ON FRUIT YIELD, QUALITY AND HARVEST MATURITY OF 'ALLISON' KIWIFRUIT

Abstract

The investigations were conducted on 23-year-old 'Allison' kiwifruit vines having uniform growth and vigour. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments, comprising of CPPU alone and in combination with GA3 and 2,4-D. The fruits were dipped in these bio-regulators at 2 and 3 weeks after full bloom. Highest fruit yields were achieved with application of 5 ppm CPPU + 60 ppm GA3 + 15 ppm 2,4-D and the lowest fruit yields resulted when fruit were not treated. This treatment also produced the maximum yield of 'A' (>80 g) and 'B' (50-80 g) grade fruit and minimum 'C' (<50 g) grade fruits at both dipping times. Fruit weight and size were also highest with this treatment. Highest total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars and sugar:acid ratios were obtained with this treatment at 2 weeks after full bloom and minimum were recorded in untreated vines. The effect of treatments and harvesting date on the quality parameters exhibited increase of TSS up to the fifth harvest. Titratable acidity declined rapidly up to the fourth harvest and then more slowly. After storage, this treatment also recorded higher TSS and lower titratable acidity.