Fruit Drop Management In Kinnow

Ludhiana, October 20, 2015: A team of scientists of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Horticultural Development Officers, visited kinnow orchards in Gharshankar and Hariana Block of district Hoshirapur to ascertain the causes of fruit drop in kinnow. Giving details, Dr. Balwinder Singh, Director of Research said that major causes of fruit drop are due to diseases, physiological reasons, fruit flies and fruit sucking moth. The report indicated that during the current season, the fruit drop due to insect attack (fruit fly and fruit sucking moth) is very less as compared to fungal infections, he said. Similar observations are also recorded in Abohar area. Dr. Singh said that control measures should not be initiated on the appearance of fruit drop but must be started as per the University recommendations. He said, pathological fruit drop generally appears from the end of August onwards and must be checked by spraying the trees with 1250 ml Ziram 27 SC + 5 gm 2,4-D (sodium salt of horticulture grade) or 500 ml Propiconazole 25 EC + 5 gm 2,4-D or 500 gm Bavistin 50 WP + 5 gm 2,4-D in mid-April, mid-August and mid-September using 500 litres of water per acre. Further, two additional single sprays of 1250 ml Ziram 27 SC or 500 ml Propiconazole 25 EC or 500 gm Bavistin 50 WP in end-July and end-September in 500 litres of water per acre should be given. For the management of fruit flies, the farmers should use PAU fruit fly traps @ 16 traps per acre, he said.