Influence of de-blossoming treatments on physico-chemical characteristics of selected mango varieties during off-season fruit production under South Gujarat conditions

Abstract

A trial was undertaken under South Gujarat conditions to assess the effect of de-blossoming in six mango varieties during regular flowering season on off season fruiting characters. The investigation consisted of four de-blossoming treatments i.e. foliar sprays of NAA @ 400 and 800 ppm, hand-deblossoming and untreated trees which were imposed on six mango varieties i.e. Amrapali, Baramasi, Neelphanso, Neelum, Ratna and Totapuri during 2013-14 and 2014-15. De-blossoming was done at full bloom stage for induction of off season flowering. Results revealed that in the regular season cv. ‘Neelphonso’ recorded significantly the highest Total Soluble Solids while, minimum titrable acidity was recorded by Totapuri. Whereas, reducing sugar was significantly the highest in ‘Amrapali’ and ascorbic acid content was significantly the highest in ‘Neelum’ variety. With regard to off-season fruiting, significantly maximum Total Soluble Solids and minimum acidity was recorded in cultivar ‘Neelphonso’. The maximum reducing sugar was observed in ‘Ratna’ cultivar. Ascorbic acid was significantly the highest in ‘Neelum’ during first year and in ‘Ratna’ during the second year. Hand de-blossoming was found superior over control for Total Soluble Solids content in the varieties selected for this study under South Gujarat conditions. De-blossoming did not exert a significant influence on acidity, reducing sugar and ascorbic acid of the fruits.