Effect of CPPU (sitofex) on quality and yield in kiwi fruit

The study was carried out at farmer’s field in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh on kiwifruit cv. Allison spaced at 4m x 6m. Allison is a leading and most popular cv. of kiwifruit and a heavy bearer needs fruit thinning so that the fruit attains a proper grade in relation to fruit size and yield. A grade fruits fetch a better price in the market and small fruits are non desirable, not saleable and therefore uneconomic. The present study was conducted by spraying vines with CPPU (Sitofex). There were three treatments asT₁ sitofex @5ppm, T₂ sitofex @10 ppm and T₃ (control, no spray). The highest average yield (34 kg/vine) and production of 14.1t/ha. was recorded in vines sprayed with 5 ppm CPPU with net return (Rs.17.46 lakh/ha.) and B:C ratio of 4.65 was recorded followed by vines sprayed with 10 ppm CPPU where average yield (29 kg/ vine) with production of 12 t/ ha. and net return (Rs.14.34 lakh/ha.) and B:C ratio of 3.82 was recorded. The lowest average yield (25 kg/ vine) and production of 10.4 t/ha. and net return (Rs. 11.85 lakh/ha.) and B:C ratio (3.16) was recorded in vines which were not sprayed. Maximum A grade fruits (55%) were obtained in vines sprayed with 5 ppm CPPU followed by 10 ppm CPPU where 50 per cent A grade fruits were obtained. The lowest A grade fruits (30 %) was recorded for control.