Influence of different plant growth regulators on yield and quality of sapota (Manilkara achras) cv. Kalipatti

The present study was carried out at Regional Fruit Research Station, PAU, Ludhiana during the year 2016-17 to investigate the influence of different plant growth regulators on yield and quality of sapota Sapota (Manilkara achras (Mill) Fosberg) cv Kalipatti. Eight year's old uniformly grown Kalipatti sapota plants planted at 9x9 m spacing were sprayed with plant growth regulators NAA @ 50,75,100 and 125 ppm and GA(3) @ 25,50,75 and 100 ppm keeping two controls, one as water spray and second without any spray in the month of May, August and September during flowering and at pea stage. Sapota fruits were analyzed for physical and chemical parameters. It was concluded that application of NAA @ 125 ppm during flowering and at pea stage resulted in improved fruit quality in terms of maximum fruit size, fruit firmness (4.01 kg/cm(2)), pulp weight (70.55 g) fruit weight (88.33 g), reducing sugars (9.44%), total sugars (14.39%), TSS (22.2%) with low acidity (0.16%) and higher fruit yield (37.13 kg/tree).