Erratic flowering on kinnow trees noticed in Punjab

Ludhiana, Apr 6 (UNI) Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) horticulturists have asked orchardists 'not to panic' due to 'erratic' flowering on kinnow fruit tree.

This unusual phenomena has occurred due to abrupt rise in temperature, which went upto 30 degrees Celsius at the end of February. It had induced excessive vegetable growth leading to low flowering. On the other hand, some fruits growers obtained additional flowering.

PAUs Horticulture Department head Dr Yog Raj Chanana today said that in response to fruit growers demand on erratic flowering a, survey and surveillance study of 40 odd orchards in Ferozepur-Fazilka and Hoshiarpur-Nawanshahar belt has revealed that general flowering was 10 per cent to 15 per cent higher in Hoshiarpur than in Ferozepur-Abohar belt.

In the same fields, the survey revaled that some plants had profuse flowering with no flowering on some adjoining plants. This is attributed to ''alternate bearing tendency'' of particular kinnow plants, he said.

Dr Chanana has advised kinnow growers to thin the flowering in the current months and settle for moderate kinnow yield rather than expecting a bumper crop. ''This is desirable for substainable production over a period of time and to give necessary rest to kinnow plants,'' he added.

In Punjab, fruits occupy about 47,000 hectares, out of which kinnow alone stands tall on approximately 20,000 hectares. And out of this area, almost 50 per cent is in Ferozepur district of which 90 per cent is in Abohar sub division, while Hoshiarpur has nearly 4,000 hecatres under kinnow.

Where farmers have been advised not to expect heavy crop yield like last year (2005-06), Dr Chanana said in case of low temperature in May and June, The practice of checking fruits drop with application of 2-4 D (chemical) may be discontinued . In case there is still heavy cropping, this may be reduced manually or by stopping irrigation.

Dr Chanana has suggested that late harvesting may be avoided as far as possible. The ideal time for picking the fruits is between January 15 to February 15 (next year).

UNI HS MA SP1338