Division of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, G.K.V.K., Bangalore 560 065
* Present address: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore 560 089
A field trial was conducted with different antitranspirants namely phenyl mercuric acetate, kaolin, salicylic acid, power oil and liquid paraffin along with control on rainfed sapota cv. Kalipatti to find out its effect on growth, water relations and fruit yield. Antitranspirants affected the plant height, plant girth and relative water content (RWC). Power oil (2%) was found to be best which recorded the maximum RWC compared to control. Antitranspirants affected the transpiration and stomatal resistance. Maximum transpiration and minimum stomatal resistance were observed with control and minimum transpiration and maximum stomatal resistance were with liquid paraffin (1.5%) During the second cropping, antitranspirants affected the fruit yield significantly. During both the years, salicylic acid (1500 ppm) was found to be best treatment which recorded the maximum fruit yield.
