Effect of boron for correcting the deformed shape and size in Jackfruit

A field study on jackfruit (cv. Local) was conducted at Brown Hill Soils (Eutrochrepts) of South Eastern Hilly regions (AEZ-29) under Hill Tracts Agricultural Research Station, Ramgarh, Khagrachri during 2002–2003 and 2003–2004. The objective was to reduce the number of deformed fruits through boron fertilization and thereby obtain increased number of normal fruits/trees. Four levels of boron (0, 5,10 and 15 g/tree) and three age groups (10,15 and 20 years) of jackfruit trees were considered in the study as treatment tools. Results revealed that integrated effect of boron level and particular age of trees was found highly significant on flower and fruit characters of jackfruit in both the years of study. However, the highest level of boron applied (15 g/tree) in the highest age group (20 years) produced significant number of normal fruits (78 and 140/tree) and lowered down the number of deformed fruits per tree in two consecutive cropping years. It was also observed from the two year results that application of boron @ 15 g/tree significantly corrected the flower and fruit characters and reduced the deformity of fruits. The highest mean normal fruits (111/tree) and lowest per cent of deformed fruits (24%) were recorded in same B (15 g/tree) level. Similarly, age of trees played a positive role in the production system of jackfruit. The significant increase in female flowers and male to female ratio contributed towards the increased number of normal fruits having more fruit weight and normal size.