Some effects yield and

of f oliar fruit

spray

quality

of zinc sulphate

of guava

on growth,

(Psidium

guajava

L.)

J. S. ARORAand J. R. SINGH College of Agriculture, Banaras Hindu Varanasi-5, India

University,

Summary Responses on various characters of guava trees due to foliar spray of zinc were studied in the field trial. The guava trees were sprayed with 0.0%, 0.2% and 0.4% zinc sulphate solutions during July 1966 and 1967. Significant improvement in growth characters, i.e., elongation of terminal shoot, number of leaves, leaf area per shoot and chlorophyll

recovery was observed with zinc spray. The zinc spray also significantly reduced the time for fruit maturity and increased fruit yield significantly. The significant improvement was also recorded on fruit weight, length, diameter, reducing sugars, Vitamin C, pectic substances and total soluble solids, and significant reduction in acidity.

Introduction The

correction

investigations spray

of zinc deficiency

by foliar

in past years8, 6,8,9,1°"4,17,18

of zinc

sulphate

in summer

application

working

was useful

has been

with

the

subject

guava16'20~, it was

in controlling

the deficiency.

of several

observed

Beneficial

that effects

of zinc spray on growth2,8'9'19, yield1'5'8,16,17,21~and quality of fruits1,7,8,11,12> have also been recorded. Therefore, present investigation was undertaken with the objective of determining the effects of zinc spray on growth,

yield and quality of guava fruits. Materials

The and

present 196768

experiment

three

lime

treatments

on 11th

and bearing

July

1966 and

growth

characters

were

season

recorded

age of trees

condition.

i. e., 0.0%, 11th July

three times.

(main crop) was taken and rainy hand picking of flowers. The

The

of zinc sulphate,

were replicated

Methods

on guava var. `Allahabad

Garden.

in size, vigour

concentrations

of hydrated The

conducted

in the Horticultural

trees were uniform with

was

and

In the

crop

The

was

and

1967 from omitted

five years

selected

0.2%

present

Saf eda' during

was

trees

0.4% with

196667 selected

were

sprayed

half

amount

10.00 A. M. to 5.00 P. M.

experiment

only winter

crop

irrigation

and

by withholding

upto only 15th January

and

after the treatment

in both

the years at the interval of two months, i. e., 15th September, 15th November and 15th January. Elongation of terminal shoots (cm), number of leaves and leaf area per shoot were recorded of 10 shoots per tree.

For the percentage

tree and were classified into two categories, For statistical

of chlorosis,

50 leaves were selected at random per

green and chlorotic, and percentage

was calculated.

analysis, the averages of two years were used.

Period of maturity, fruits was recorded

the difference in days required on the basis of total number

which was judged by the colour and softness. Received for publication March 27, 1970. 1

for maturity,

of fruits

harvested

was recorded

and yield of

from the tree at maturity

Jour.

208

The

data

on physicochemical

Japan.

Soc. Hort. Sci. 39 (3)

composition

of fruits at harvest

are based on the analysis

of

ten fruits of average size and maturity, plucked from four sides of the tree at random. The fruit weight, length and diameter were recorded. The acidity was determined by titrating against

N/10 NaOH

by Fehling

solution

solution,

using phenolphthalein

method, using methylene

as an indicator.

blue indicator13~.

was estimated by the 2 : 6 dichlorophenolindophenol substances was estimated by the method described solids

were

statistical

determined

by hand

ref ractometer

analysis, year was included

Sugars were determined

The ascorbic

acid (vitamin

C)

dye method and the content of pectic by Carre and Haynes4~ . Total soluble

and

values

were corrected

for 20°C.

For

as age factor. Results

1. Effect of zinc spray on growth characters. increased The

by zinc spray.

age factor

advancement

Maximum

also produced

of season.

Elongation

significant

effect and

The per cent distribution

number

of leaves

shoots was significantly

it was

significantly

reduced

with

the

of the season showed that 43.3% elongatton

of terminal shoot took place upto 15th September, November and 15th January, respectively (Table 1). The

of terminal

increase (50.5%) over control was exhibited by 0.4% spray.

per shoot was significantly

whereas improved

33.8% and by zinc spray.

increase (41.0%) in number of leaves was obtained under the influence age factor showed a similar trend as for elongation of terminal shoot.

22.9%

upto 15th

The maximum

of 0.4% spray.

Table 1. Effect of zinc concentrations and age on growth characters of guava.

The

ARORA

Table

There

3.

• SINGH

Effect

was significant

of

showed

concentrations

quite

spray

0.4%,

f oliar

on

spray

chlorosis

which

(Table 1).

was

controlled

(Table 1). 2. Period of maturity and yield.

of

zinc

only

of

51.3% was due of terminal

209

guava

fruits.

guava

to 0.2%

shoot.

100 per cent

spray.

The

The interaction

leaf area (188.25 sq. cm) was produced

successfully.

Period

on

composition

The most striking percentage

sulphate

on leaf area per shoot and about

to elongation

and age showed that maximum

recovery in chlorosis and maximum

spray

physicochemical

whereas

similar trend

spray on 15th September leaf

zinc

of

effect of zinc

increase was recorded under factor

: Effects

and favourable

Both

by 0.4%

effect was obtained

concentrations

showed

age

between on

significant

recovery (96.1%) was observed under 0.4% spray

of maturity

was significantly

reduced

due to the

treatment. The fruits from check trees took 78 days to reach the maturity, whereas fruits from sprayed trees took 70 and 66 days under 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively. The most outstanding

and promising

result was obtained

of zinc increased the yield of guava fruits under 0.4% spray (Table 2) was recorded.

with regard to yield. significantly

and

Both the concentrations

100 per cent increase in yield

3. Physicochemical composition. The beneficial effect of zinc spray was recorded on physicochemical composition of fruits at harvest. There was significant increase in weight and length 3).

of fruits

and maximum

There was no significant

percentage

of increase was exhibited

effect on diameter

under 0.4% spray (Table

of fruits but 5.88% and 8.37%

recorded under 0.2% and 0.4% spray, respectively. 3

increase

was

Jour.

210

The

fruit

17.39%

acidity

significantly vitamin

was

was observed increased

C, pectin

and maximum

Japan.

significantly

under

Soc. Hort.

reduced

0.4%

spray.

by zinc treatment

and

total

soluble

Sci. 39 (3)

by zinc treatment Reducing

and

and maximum

solids content

and maximum

non-reducing

reduction

of

were

also

increase was noted under 0.4%.

The

of fruits

sugars

were also improved

increase in vitamin C (7.22%) and total soluble solids content

significantly

of fruits (16.90%)

was observed under. 0.4% spray, whereas pectin content (19.29%) was recorded

under 0.2% spray.

Discussion Present

findings

of guava fruits.

revealed

the

Elongation

beneficial

of terminal

effects of zinc spray on growth,

shoot, number

the influence

of 0.4%

yield and quality

of leaves and leaf area per shoot were

significantly

improved under

spray.

plants start for luxuriant

new growth with the commencement of rains, there is great need of nutrients growth. The limitation of any major or minor element might check the growth

and might affect the other physiological

and biochemical

spraying

have proved

at the

critical

The observations was diminished This

gave

chlorosis

period

might

recorded on 15th September

clear cut

and efficient

indication growth

that

trees

started.

became

more

Similar results

in maturity.

understood

but

indispensable

to earliness

Though

it is universally

plants.

Thus, growth.

of chlorotic

active

by

getting

recovered

have also been recorded

development

finally due

the

that the percentage

reduced

and

within

to cause more luxuriant

when

leaves

0.2% and 0.4% zinc sulphate, respectively.

pear2~, fig21), and citrus8~. The period of maturity was significantly spray was noted on yield.

long spell of heat,

processes

helpful

indicated

from 69.06 to 6.28 or 4.01 by spraying

After

and

from

in guava16,20,

it was

due to more

hastened

The

most outstanding

fruit

effect of zinc

the role of zinc in plants is not very clearly and completely claimed

to be an essential

for the growth of all organisms.

microelement

The radical improvement

and it is considered in yield of grape1'5,

pomelo and lemon8), mandarin16> and fig21) due to zinc spray have also been recorded. The physicochemical composition of guava fruits was greatly improved due to zinc spray and

maximum

appropriate

efficient synthesis of reducing of fruits

effect

was

produced

time might have helped of organic

compounds.

and non-reducing were

mainly in early

also improved.

sugars.

under and

0.4%

better

A reduction The vitamin

An improvement

spray. start

The

of fruit

spraying

enzymes and other elements

and total soluble solids contents

in physicochemical

in improving

composition

the general

health

and

of apple11,

a high efficiency vigour

of guava

trees. Acknowledgements The authors are thankful to Dr. K. Matsumoto, Prof. of Citriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama, for his criticism of the manuscript. Supported

by ICAR, New Delhi to J. S. Arora.

4

at

due to

in acidity might be due to accumulation

C, pectin

pomelo and lime8~, and orange7,12~ fruits has also been reported. All these effects indicated that zinc played an important role in maintaining of various

of zinc

development

College of Agriculture,

ARORA . SINGH : Effects

of foliar

Literature 1.

2

3

4.

7

8

9

10.

11.

BOGUN, S. S. 1963. Zinc increases vine yields and berry sweetness. Vinodelie i vinogradrstov. 23(4) : 34-35. BOLLARD, E. G. 1953. Zinc deficiency in pears. N. Z.J. Sci. Tech. Sect. A. 34: 548-550. BULLOCK,R. M. 1949. Boron and Zinc deficiencies in Washington orchards. Proc. 45th Ann. Mtg. Wash. St. Hort. Ass. pp. 225 -230 . CARRE, M. H, and D. HAYNES. 1922. The estimation of pectin as calcium pectate and the application of this method to the determination of soluble pectin in apples. Biochem. J. 16 : 60-69. COOMBE,B. G. 1949. Zinc treatment of sultana vines. J. Dept. Agric.' S. Aust. 53 : 59-61. DIKSHIT, N. N. 1958. Preliminary studies on citrus die back in Coorg.II. Effect of micro element sprays and irrigation on the occurrence of chlorosis. Sci. and Cult. 24 : 91-94. DUTT, S. and J. R. BHAMBOTA. 1967. Effect of different concentrations on the incidence of chlorosis in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). Indian J. Hort. 24(1 & 2) : 50-59. DUTTA, A. K. 1962. Copper and zinc deficiency of the citrus in laterite soils. Sci. and Cult. 28 : 72-74. FORESTER, E. D. 1947. Zinc deficiency in New Zealand apple trees. Orchard. N.Z., 20(4) : 4-5. KANWAR, J. S. and D. R. DHINGRA. 1962. Effect of micro nutrient sprays on the chemical composition of citrus leaves and incidence of chlorosis. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 32 : 309-314. KOLESNIK, A.A. and O.B. CEREVITINOV. 1964. A trial on the foliar nutrition of apple trees with zinc salts. Sadovodstvo. 4 : 48-49.

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of

zinc

sulphate

on

guava

211

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LABANAUSKAS, C. K., W.W. JONES and T.W. EMBLETON. 1963. Effect of foliar applications of manganese, zinc and urea on yield and fruit quality of valencia oranges and nutrient concentrations in the leaves, peel and juice. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 82 : 142-153. Lane, J. H, and L. EYNON. 1923. Determination of reducing sugars by Fehling Solution with methylene blue as indicator. Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind. 42 : 32. OPPENHEIMER, C. and S. GAZIT. 1961. Zinc deficiency in mango groves in Israel and its correction. Hort. Advance 5 : 1-12. PRASAD, N., R.L. MATHUR and IS. CHATTRI. 1966. Studies on the control of zinc deficiency of guava in Rajasthan. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 36 : 201-209. SAMOLADAS,T. H. 1964. The effect of microelements on the yield and metabolism of the Unshiu mandarin, Citrus unshiu Marc. Bot. Zurnal. 49 : 428-432. SINGH, M. P. and K. C. AGRAWAL. 1961. Studies on dying back in citrus. II. The effect of zinc and copper sprays in mandarin (C. reticulata BLANCO) var. Srinagar. Indian J. Hort. 18 : 295-301. SNYDER, E. and F. N. HARMON. 1954. Some responses of vinifera grapes to zinc sulphate. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 63 : 91-94. SUBRAMANIUM,C. K. 1960. Zinc and manganese sprays for citrus. South Indian Hort. 8(314) : 20-23. VASUDEVA, R. S. and S. P. RAYCHAUDHRI. 1954. Guava disease in Pushkar valley and its control. Ind. Phytopath. 7 : 78-81. WARNER, R. M. and E. L. PROEBSTING. 1957. Zn and Mn sprays for figs. Proc. 11th Annu. Res. Calif. Fig. Inst. Fresno. pp. 11-17.

硫 酸 亜 鉛 の 葉 面 散 布 が グ ア バ(Psゴ4げz4〃zgz4α ブ6zzン αL.)の

発 育,

収 量 な らび に果 実 の品 質 に 及 ぼ す 影 響 J.S.ア

ロ ー ラ ・J.R.シ

ソ

(バ ナ ラ ス ・ ヒ ン ズ ー大 学 農 学 部,イ

摘 1966,1967両

年 の7月 に,ほ 場 に 植 え られ た グ アバ に

ン ド)

要 面 に お い て 有 意 な 改 善 効 果 が 認 め られ た 。 さ らに 亜 鉛 を

硫酸亜鉛水溶液を散布 し

散 布 す る'ことに よつ て,果 実 の成 熟 に要 す る 期 間 が 短 縮

て,そ れ が樹 体 な らび に 果 実 の各 種 の性 状 に 及 ぼ す 影 響

され,収 量 や 果 径,果 重 を増 し,ま た,還 元 糖 や ビ タ ミ

を 対 照 区 と比 較 した 。そ の結 果,枝

ソC,ペ

対 して0.2%お

よび0・4%の

の 葉 数 な らび に葉 面 積,ま た,ク

の伸 長 や1枝

あた り

ロ#フ ィ ル含 量 な どの

クチ ソ質,可 溶 性 固形 物 等 の 含 量 が 増 加 し,果

汁 の酸 度 を減 少 す る効 果 の あ る こ とが 明 らか に な つ た 。