Effect of plant growth regulator, applin on growth, yield and quality of royal delicious apple

Fruit size is one of the important quality parameters of apple to enhance the economic value in terms of yield and consumers preference. In the year of heavy crop load of apple tree, the fruit remains undersized which reduces the market value after harvesting. To overcome this problem, the use of gibberellins and cytokinins plant growth regulators to maintain the proper size of fruits under heavy crop load is an alternative way. The present study was carried out to know the effect of Applin (gibberellin and cytokinin) on growth, yield and quality of Royal Delicious apple. Maximum shoot growth, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, yield and ascorbic acid content were recorded in plants treated with 0.5 ml/l of Applin and with 1.0 ml/l of Wetcit. The overall results of this study showed that the application of plant growth regulator at the concentration significantly increased the size, quality and shelf-life of apple during the year of high crop load.