PERIODIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF FRUITS OF DIFFERENT DATE CULTIVARS GROWN UNDER THE AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF D. I. KHAN

Abstract

A research trial was conducted in the orchard of Horticulture Department at Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, D.I.Khan during 2010 to study the periodic growth and development of fruits of five promising date cultivars. The cultivars were included Dhakki, Gulistan, Khudrawi, Shakri and Zaidi-1. Fruits were collected at the intervals of 15 days (i.e 5th May, 20th May, 5th June, 20th June, 5th July, 20th July and 5th August) for determining their physical characteristics (weight, length, weight of pulp/ flesh, stone weight) and also data were recorded on fruit set percentage and fruit yield/plant (kg). The significantly highest fruit weight (11.20 gm), length (35.87 mm) and pulp weight (10.47 gm) were recorded in Dhakki succeeded by Gulistan. Cultivars differed significantly with respect to average weight of stone. The significantly highest stone weight was recorded in Gulistan followed by Dhakki and lowest in Zaidi-1. However, the highest fruit set of 93.0% was recorded in Gulistan followed by Dhakki, Zaidi-1, Khadrawi and Shakri with fruit set of 92.05%, 89.0%, 86.0% and 78.0% respectively. The significantly highest fruit yield/plant (97.59 kg) was recorded in cv Dhakki followed by Gulistan (86.75 kg/ plant), Zaidi-1 (62.25 kg/plant), Khudrawn (62.00 kg/plant) and Shakri (57.80 kg/plant). Amongst the cultivars Dhakki ranked first in earning better return in terms of yield as compared to Gulistan and Khudrawi.