Relationship of embryo degeneration with fruit drop and its pattern in different cultivars of ber

Pattern of fruit drop in four cultivars of ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) viz. Umran, Kaithali, ZG-2 and Sanaur-2 were studied. The fruit drop varied among the cultivars and was highest (85%) in Kaithali and lowest in ZG-2. The rate of cumulative fruit drop varied amongst different cultivars and also at various developmental stages of the fruit. Developing green young fruitlets showed normal embryos. Young fruitlets about to abscise were yellow in colour and showed under developed, abortive or degenerated ovules. The abscission of young fruitlet of ber may be attributed to degeneration of ovules.