Effect of different levels of pruning and nitrogen on growth, flowering, fruiting, yield and quality of phalsa (Grewia subinequalis D.C.)

Abstract

The present study was conducted with four levels of pruning (P0-control, P1-30 cm, P2-60 cm and P3-90 cm above the ground level) and four levels of nitrogen (N0-control, N1-40 g, N2-80 g and N3-120 g/plant). It has been observed from two year’s experiment that average maximum shoot length (1.94 and 2.24 m) was recorded in P0N2, while maximum plant spread (1.83 and 2.20 m), number of canes per bush (16.40 and 20.54), number of days to flower bud initiation (110.5 and 110.80), highest number of fruits per plant (1576.47 and 1380.53), yield per bush (0.850 and 0.800 kg), yield per ha (1,888 and 1,777 kg/ha) respectively, were recorded highest in treatment P3N2. However, the highest 100-fruit weight (66.25 and 57.20 g) respectively, was recorded with P1N2. Highest TSS (17.40 and 18.00%) was recorded under the P3N3 and least acidity (2.90 and 3.25% in P3N0. Ascorbic acid content was highest (39.80 and 37.50 mg/100 g fr. wt.) in treatment combination P2N2. The juice and total sugars per cent was recorded highest (55.60, 50.60 and 15.25, 14.80%), respectively, in treatment combination P1N2 and reducing sugar was highest (12.2 and 12.8%) in P3N2. Treatment combination P3 N2 was the best for phalsa under Lucknow conditions.