Effects of growth regulator foliar spray on daisy mandarin (Citrus reticulata) fruit splitting, yield, and quality

Abstract

In order to investigate the impact of foliar growth regulator treatment on fruit splitting, yield, and quality of
Daisy mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), the experiment was carried out in 2021 and 2022 at the Fruit
Research Station, Jallowal-Lesriwal, Jalandhar (Punjab Agricultural University), Punjab. At various phases of
Daisy mandarin growth, various quantities of gibberellic acid (GA3) (10, 20, and 30 ppm), naphthalene acetic
acid (NAA) (10, 20, and 30 ppm), ethephon (10, 20, and 30 ppm), and salicylic acid (SA) (100 and 200 ppm)
were sprayed in addition to a control. The findings showed that foliar treatment of GA3 at 10 ppm produced the
greatest fruit weight, number of fruits, and maximum fruit output, while salicylic acid at 100 ppm successfully
reduced the severity of fruit splitting in Daisy mandarin over both seasons. When compared to untreated plants,
the treatment of 10 ppm GA3 produced better outcomes for fruit quality parameters such as total soluble solids,
ascorbic acid, juice, and flavonoid content. According to the findings, applying 10 ppm GA3 and 100 ppm
salicylic was successful in improving fruit quality characteristics and lowering the frequency of fruit splitting in
Daisy mandarin.