Author(s): Sneha Singh, Bhanu Pratap, Alok Kumar Singh, Viveka Nand Singh, RK Yadav and BP Shahi

Abstract: Abstract: Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) is generally consumed fresh and cultivated in several semi-arid areas of Asia because of its adaptability to yield in limiting conditions. The present study aims to assess the effect of different pruning intensity and plant growth regulators on growth parameters and fruiting behavior of ber (cultivar Gola). The present study comprised four different pruning intensity of previous season growth viz., P₀ – no pruning, P₁- 25% pruning, P₂- 50% pruning, P₃- 75% pruning and plant growth regulators (PGRs) viz., C₀-Control, C₁- GA₃ @ 10 ppm and C₂- NAA @10 ppm. This study effectively demonstrated that the maximum plant height and plant spread achieved by employing 75% pruning + GA₃ 10ppm (P₃C₁). The highest number of sprouted shoots per branch and shoot length have been obtained by 75% pruning + GA₃ 10 ppm (P₃C₁) closely followed by 75% pruning + NAA 10ppm and lowest being in un-pruned shoots + water spray. Early flower initiation was observed with un-pruned shoots (control) as compared to pruned shoots and similar observations have been recorded in case of 50% flowering. Significantly maximum number of fruit set (60.14%) and fruit retention (43.80%) were recorded with 50% pruning + GA₃ 10 ppm (C₁) followed by 50% pruning + NAA 10 ppm (P₂C₂).

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i3Sj.888