Influence of PGRs and ZnSO₄ on Biochemical Efficacy of Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana L.)

Ber is a significant fruit crop in desert regions. The fully ripe ber fruit is rich in calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B and vitamin A, among other nutrients. Spraying plants in mid-October and in last week of December with various treatments, NAA (20 ppm and 30 ppm), GA₃ (30 ppm and 40 ppm), salicylic acid (300 ppm), ZnSO₄ (0.5%) alone and in combination, along with a control group, each repeated three times.

This study investigated the impact of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) on the biochemical parameters of ber. Field trials were conducted involving foliar applications of PGRs and ZnSO₄, both individually and in combination. Spraying was done in two stages, the first in mid-October during the flowering stage and the second in the last week of November during the pealet stage. The experiment employed randomized block design (RBD). Ber fruits were assessed for total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS acid ratio, sugars, vitamin C, total ash content, total protein content, total fat content, total fiber content and total moisture content.

Results showed that T₁₀- GA₃+ZnSO₄+Salicylic acid (40 ppm+0.5%+300 ppm) has given best result followed by T₉ (30 ppm+0.5%+300 ppm) as compared to control (T₀). T₁₀ exhibited highest TSS (14.50^a °Brix), minimum acidity (0.32^a), TSS acid ratio (45.37^b), highest total sugars (7.91^a%), reducing sugar (5.10^a%), non-reducing sugar (2.81^d%), ascorbic acid (101.56^ab mg/100 gm), highest ash content (2.38^b g/100gm), total protein (3.50^a g/100 gm), total fat (0.45^a g/100 gm) and total fiber content (5.37^a g/100 gm) and total moisture content (4.89^a%).