Effect of chemicals and pruning on russeting, yield and quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ apple ( Malus domestica)

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2005-06 on the influence of chemical treatments and light pruning on russeting and yield and quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples (Malus domestica L.) The treatments were, 0.2% wettable sulphur (T1), 3% Ca(OH)2 (T2), 0.4% MnSO4 (T3), 0.1% Boric acid (T4), 0.2% wettable sulphur + Ca (OH)2 @ 3% (T5), MnSO4 @ 0.4% + Ca (OH)2 @ 3% (T6), wettable sulphur (0.2%) + 0.4% MnSO4 + 0.1% boric acid (T7), 0.2% wettable sulphur + 3% Ca (OH)2 + 0.4% MnSO4 (T8), light pruning 15 days after petal fall (T9) and no treatment (control) (T10). Chemical treatments were repeated thrice at weekly interval starting from the petal fall as foliar sprays and the observations were recorded on russeting percentage, extent of russeting, fruit yield and physico-chemical characteristics of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples. Spray of 0.2% wettable sulphur + 0.4% MnSO4 + 0.1% boric acid (T7) significantly reduced fruit russeting, followed by spray of 0.2% wettable sulphur. The extent of russeting was also lower with these treatments. Yield as well as weight, length, diameter, TSS and total sugars of fruits were significantly higher in T7, followed by T5 and T4. The frequency and extent of russeting was higher in control plants. All the treatments improved yield and quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples over control