Effect of shoot pruning and growth regulators on yield, quality and marketability of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) Cv. Allison

An study was conducted by KVK, Bageshwar during 2021 at Sama village of Kapkot block of district Bageshwar to find out the suitability and efficacy of different crop regulating options of kiwifruit in farmer’s perspective. The prime purpose of the study was to increase the yield of A grade fruits to maximize the returns. Four treatments (T1- No pinching and no use of plant growth regulators, T2- Pinching 20 percent growth at petal fall that continued till harvest at one month interval, T3- T2 + Fruit dipping at 20 days after full bloom in 50 ppm GA3 solution for 5 second,T4- T2 + Fruit dipping at 20 Days After Full Bloom in 50 ppm 2,4 D solution for 5 second) were applied for the assessment of various technologies. Pinching of 20 percent shoot growth at petal fall stage that continued till harvest at one month interval was found most appropriate. This practice gave 24 kg A grade fruits (>70 g) per vine, 17 kg B grade fruits (50-70 g) per vine and 7 kg C grade fruits (<50 g) per vine, while the farmer’s practice (no pinching) resulted in 6 kg Agrade fruits (>70 g) per vine, 13 kg B grade fruits (50-70 g) per vine and 21 kg C grade fruits (<50 g) per vine. The total soluble solid content (TSS°B) of fruits from pinching treatment was also higher (16.10 °B) than the fruits from no pinching vines (14.95 °B). Use of GA 3 (50 ppm) and 2,4 D (20 ppm) as fruit dip method at 20 days after full bloom (20 DAFB) could not further increase the grade A and B fruit yield significantly over pinching alone. Thus, Pinching of 20 percent shoot growth at petal fall stage that continued till harvest at one month interval is recommended for obtaining maximum quantity of “A” grade fruits that will successfully compete in market for better price.