Agricultural Research Institute, Sabour (Bhagalpur)
*Present address: Department of Horticulture, Ranchi Agriculture College, Kanke (Bihar).
In the present investigation three concentrations of 2, 4-D and five concentrations of GA were sprayed on the emasculated flowers of loquat (cultivars—Pale Yellow and Thamas Pride) to induce seedlessness. The results indicate that for initial increase in fruit set all the concentrations of 2, 4-D and GA are equally effective. The 2, 4-D sprayed fruits dried up four weeks after set and GA treated buds developed into complete seedless fruits. The ultimate length and diameter of GA sprayed fruits were mostly less than control and more fruit drop was recorded in seedless fruits, although the percentage of ripe fruits retained on basis of percentage set was high from control. The normal fruits have more pulp weight in comparison to seedless fruits, whereas the seedless fruits contained less acidity sugars, total soluble solids and more vitamin C. Regarding concentration of GA, 100 and 200 ppm appear to be more effective than others for inducing seedlessness in loquat.
