QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN PLUM THROUGH CPPU AND POTASSIUM IN THE NORTH WEST PLAINS OF INDIA

Abstract

Fruit size, weight, colour, TSS, acidity, TSS/acid ratio and total sugars is important components for the fruit quality of plum. By improving these parameters we can improve the quality of fruits. Foliar spray of CPPU (2.5 ppm and 5.0 ppm) and potassium salts (KNO3 and K2SO4) at 1 per cent and 2 per cent were done at 7 DAFB and 14 DAFB on 12 year old plum plants. In this experiment we noted that all the CPPU treatments significantly increased fruit size and fruit weight whereas KNO3 treatments improved colour, TSS, acidity, TSS/acid ratio and total sugars which contributed in the fruit quality of plum cv. Satluj Purple. According to this experiment we find the conclusion that fruit weight and size was maximum under CPPU 5.0 ppm 7 DAFB (36.13 g and 3.54 cm and 3.32 cm) length and breadth respectively and other quality parameters was maximum in KNO3 2% 7 DAFB and is the best treatment in TSS (12.48%), tss/acid ratio (18.35%), total sugars (7.52%), acidity (0.68%) and fruit colour (16.80 and 7.21) a and b value respectively.