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Impact of foliar application of NAA, Zinc and Boron on growth, yield and quality
parameters of Guava (Psidium guajava L.)

Article  in  Progressive Agriculture · January 2022

DOI: 10.5958/0976-4615.2022.00033.3

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Prog. Agric. 22 (2) : 190-194 (2022) Society for Recent Development in Agriculture
DOI : 10.5958/0976-4615.2022.00033.3 Website : www.progressiveagriculture.in

IMPACT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF NAA, ZINC AND BORON

ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY PARAMETERS
OF GUAVA (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA L.)
Ram Babu and V.K Tripathi
Department of Fruit Science,
C. S. Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur- 208 002
*Corresponding Author Email-drvktripathicsa@gmail.com

Abstract
An experiment was conducted during 2021-22 to study the “Impact of foliar application of NAA, zinc
and boron on growth, yield and quality parameters of guava (Psidium guajava L.)”. For this
thirteen-year-old uniform in growth 30 plants of guava planted at 6 × 6m apart were selected for this
experimentation work in the garden, Department of Fruit Science, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture
and Technology, Kanpur-208 002 (U.P.), India. There were in all ten treatments viz. three levels each of
NAA (25, 50 and 75 ppm), ZnSO4 (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 %) and borax (0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 %) along with one
control, replicated thrice in RBD were used for the experimentation work. The recommended dose of
fertilizers along with uniform horticultural were applied in cultural practices all treatments including
control. The plant growth regulator and mineral nutrients were sprayed on the plants before flowering
on 11/08/2021 and the second spraying in the third week of September after fruit setting on 17-09-2021
with a sprayer having a very fine nozzle from the exiperiment in seprated that the spraying of zinc
sulphate @ 1% results in minimum fruit drop (40.87%) and maximum number of flowers per shoot
(54.66), fruit set (56.89%), fruit retention (59.13%), fruit length (7.23cm) and width (6.77cm), weight
(125.57g g), and volume (131.71cc), fruit yield (46.95kg/plant), total soluble solids (11.55ºBrix), total
sugars (6.41 %) reducing sugar (3.10%) and non-reducing sugar (3.31%) with minimum percentage of
titratable acidity (0.43 %) under plains of central Uttar Pradesh.
Keywords: Guava, NAA, ZnSO 4 , Boron, Fruit Drop, Yield and Physio-chemical quality.

Introduction
Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important fruit crop in tropical and subtropical regions of the
world. It is also known as the “Apple of tropics” and family Myrtaceae having chromosome number
2n=22, 140 genera and 3000 species. Guava plants are hardy, prolific bearer, long-lived,
drought-tolerant and one of the most delicious and popular fruit in the tropical and subtropical regions of
the country. Guava fruit is considered one of the most delicious and luscious fruit. The nutritive value of
guava is very high and the cheapest source of vitamin C and pectin. Being very hardy, guava can be
grown successfully in a wide range of soil like light sandy loam, clayey, deep, rich alluvial with a pH
range of 4.5-8.2. NAA is an important plant-bio regulator belonging to the auxin group, which helps in
reducing fruit drops, improve fruit set and quality in various plants. Zinc (Zn) is an essential
microelement for various plants which. It involves in chlorophyll synthesis and plays a positive role in
photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism. It is also involved in regulating protein and carbohydrate
metabolism.
Boron is considered to be necessary for hormone metabolism, photosynthetic activities, cellular
 Impact of Foliar Application of NAA, Zinc and Boron on Growth, Yield and Quality Parameters
differentiation and water absorption in plants. It
is also involved in reproduction, germination of
pollen tubes and fertilization therefore, keeping in
view, the importance of plant bio regulator and
micronutrients the present experiment was
planned to infer concrete information on the effect
of these in respect of growth, yield and quality
parameters of guava (Psidium guajava L.)
Materials And Methods
Thirteen-year-old uniform in growth 30 plants
of guava planted at 6 × 6 m apart were selected for
this experimentation in the garden, Department of
Fruit Science, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture
and Technology, Kanpur-208 002 (U.P.), India,
during 2021-22. There were in all ten treatments
viz. three levels each of NAA (25, 50 and 75 ppm),
ZnSO4 (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 %) and Borax (0.4, 0.6 and
0.8 %) along with one control, replicated thrice in
RBD were used for the experimentation work. The
recommended dose of fertilizers was applied in all
treatments including control. The plant growth
regulator and mineral nutrients were sprayed on
the tree before flowering on 11/08/2021 and the
second spraying in the third week of September
after fruit setting on 17-09-2021 with a sprayer
having a very fine nozzle. The detergent powder
was well mixed in the spray solution which act as a
sticker before spraying. The information recorded
on different parameters during experimentation
was statistically analyzed.
Observations on the number of flowers per
shoot, fruit set,drop and retention were recorded
during the fruiting season. At each picking, data
on fruit weight and yield per plant were recorded.
The length and width of ten randomly selected
fruits were measured with a vernier calliper and
expressed in cm. Data on the volume of fruit was
measured with the help of a volumetric flask by
water displacement method and expressed in ml.
The TSS of fruits was recorded with the assistance
of an Erma hand refractometer. The total sugars,
titratable acidity reducing and Non-reducing
sugar contents were determined by the techniques
as recommended by (1).
Results And Discussion
191
NUMBER OF FLOWERS PER SHOOT AND
FRUIT SET PER CENT
Significantly maximum number of flowers per
shoot (54.66) and fruit set (56.89%) were recorded
in plants treated with of zinc sulphate @ 1%
followed by treatment of zinc sulphate @ 0.75 %
which produced 52.66 flowers per shoot and
53.86% fruit set, respectively (Table-1). The
minimum number of flowers per shoot and fruit set
were recorded under untreated plant i.e., control
(43.44 and 42.46%, respectively). The increased
flower number per shoot increased with the
increase in concentrations of zinc, might be due to
the significant increase in shoot number that
ultimately ended in an individual flower. More
fruit set due to zinc application might be due to
profuse flowering and less drop also helps in
facilitating timely fertilization before the stigma
loses its receptivity or the style becomes
non-functional. These findings are in line with the
reports of Bhoyar and Ramdevputra (2017), Badal
and Tripathi (2021a) and (8) in guava.
FRUIT DROP and fruit retention
Data from table- 1 early revealed that the
Application of zinc sulphate @ 1% exhibited lesser
fruit drop (40.87%) and more fruit retention
(59.13%) closely followed by treatment of zinc
sulphate @ 0.75% (44.77% and 55.22%,
respectively). The plants which were deprived of
hormonal treatments i.e., control expressed a
maximum of 57.22% fruit drop and lesser fruit
retention (42.78%). Zinc has helped in fruit
retention because zinc stimulates the synthesis of
endogenous auxins and auxin prevents the
abscission and facilitated the ovary to remain
attached to the shoot, resulting in lower fruit drop.
These findings are in agreement with the reports
of Tiwari and Shant (2014), (7) and Yadav et al.,
(2015) in guava, (6) in mango.
Fruit Size
The size of the fruit was recorded by measuring
of fruits with vernier callipers and an average
value was obtained. The plants which were treated
with zinc sulphate @ 1% significantly hastened the
length of fruits registering 7.23cm and width of
fruits (6.77cm) closely followed by zinc sulphate @
192 Ram Babu and V.K Tripathi
0.75% which indicated 6.82cm fruit length and
6.45cm of fruit width (table-1). In this regard,
untreated plants (control) exhibited a minimum of
6.02cm fruit length and 5.67cm of fruit width. This
enlargement in fruit size is caused by the drawing
of photosynthates to the fruit as a consequence of
the intensification of the sink. These findings are
in agreement with Badal and Tripathi (2021b) and
(12) in guava.
Fruit weight and volume
Fruit weight and volume get significantly
increase with the application of zinc sulphate @ 1%
(125.57g and 131.71cc, respectively) closely
followed by zinc sulphate @ 0.75% which revealed
121.19g and 128.30cc, respectively (table-1)
against the poorest fruit weight and volume were
revealed under control (105.92g and 111.96cc,
respectively). An increase in fruit weight and
volume was due to the reason that zinc regulates
metabolic activities, which increased the
accumulation of food materials in the tissue
Similar results were also obtained by Badal and
Tripathi (2021b), (8) and (14) in guava.
Fruit yield
The plants which were treated with zinc
sulphate @ 1% induced a significantly maximum
fruit yield of 46.95kg per plant closely followed by
treatment of borax @ 0.8% which recorded 44.73kg
of fruits per tree (table-1). Untreated plants i.e.,
control produced significantly lesser fruit yield of
34.84kg per tree. The maximum yield in the
treatment of zinc sulphate @ 1% might be
attributed due to the production of the maximum
number of fruits in this treatment resulting in
more yield. The production of more fruits per tree
in this treatment could be due to the facts that zinc
which acts as a catalyst in the oxidation and
reduction process and is also of great importance
in the sugar metabolism thus increasing the yield
per tree. These findings are in line with the reports
of Lal and Das (2017), (7), and Kumar et al., (2010)
in guava.
total soluble solids and titratable acidity
The maximum total soluble solids (11.55 0Brix)
were recorded with the foliar application of zinc
sulphate @ 1% followed by zinc sulphate @ 0.75%,
which was significantly superior to the rest of the
treatments while the minimum TSS content (9.75
0Brix) was found under control. The increase in
TSS due to the treatment of zinc is a fact that zinc
is credited with a definite role in the hydrolysis of
complex polysaccharides into simple sugars,
synthesis of metabolites and rapid translocation of
photosynthetic products and minerals from other
parts of the plant to developing fruits. Similar
results were also obtained by (17) and Badal and
Tripathi (2021b) in guava.
The lowest titratable acidity (0.430%) was
found with the foliar application of zinc sulphate @
1%, followed by zinc sulphate @ 0.75% during the
year of experimentation. The role of zinc in
decreasing the titratable acidity of fruits might be
either due to the conversion of sugar and their
derivatives by relation involving reverse glycolytic
pathway or growth which may be held responsible
for reducing titratable acidity. Similar results
were also obtained by Awasthi and Lal (2009) in
guava, Yadav et al., (2010), and (13) in guava.
Total sugars, Reducing sugar and Non-reducing sugar
The maximum total sugars (6.41%), reducing
sugar (3.10%) content in fruits and non-reducing
sugar (3.31%) were recorded with the foliar
application of zinc sulphate @ 1%, which was
significantly superior to the rest of other
treatments. However, the minimum total sugars
(5.82%), reducing sugar (2.81%) and non-reducing
sugar (3.01%) were recorded in plants produced
from the plants kept under control. The increase in
reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and total
sugars may be due to an increased rate of
photosynthesis and a perceptible increase in sugar
contents through the foliar feeding of zinc sulphate
might be due to the active synthesis of tryptophan
in the presence of zinc, the precursor of auxin
which in turn causes an increase in the rate of
chlorophyll synthesis which ultimately accelerates
the photosynthetic activity which accumulated
more sugars in fruits. These findings are in
agreement with Kumar et al., (2018) and (6) in
mango.
 Impact of Foliar Application of NAA, Zinc and Boron on Growth, Yield and Quality Parameters 193

Table 1. Influence of NAA, Zinc sulphate and boron on Fruit set, drop, retention and physical fruit
parameters in guava cv. L-49.
Number of Fruit Fruit Fruit Fruit Fruit
Fruit set Fruit drop
Treatments flowers per retention length width weight volume
(%) (%)
shoot (%) (cm) (cm) (g) (cc)
T1- NAA 25ppm 48.88 48.86 49.80 50.19 6.11 6.09 114.13 120.75
T2- NAA 50ppm 51.88 51.03 47.06 52.93 6.77 6.40 120.24 127.29
T3- NAA 75ppm 52.44 52.12 46.34 53.65 6.80 6.43 120.79 127.90
T4- Zinc sulphate 0.5% 50.66 51.98 50.59 49.41 6.68 6.32 118.52 125.45
T5- Zinc sulphate 0.75% 52.66 53.86 44.77 55.22 6.82 6.45 121.19 128.30
T6- Zinc sulphate 1% 54.66 56.89 40.87 59.13 7.23 6.77 125.57 131.71
T7- Borax 0.4% 48.77 48.74 51.35 48.64 6.53 6.17 115.66 122.39
T8- Borax 0.6% 50.55 50.13 47.64 52.38 6.79 6.42 120.62 127.79
T9- Borax 0.8% 51.77 52.75 46.95 53.01 6.81 6.44 121.01 128.11
T10- Control 43.44 42.46 57.22 42.78 6.02 5.67 105.92 111.96
SE(m)± 0.397 0.902 1.134 1.133 0.158 0.071 0.913 0.909
CD at 5% 1.188 2.700 3.395 3.393 0.472 0.211 2.734 2.722
Table 2. Influence of NAA, Zinc sulphate and boron on yield and chemical parameters of guava cv.
L-49.
Fruit yield Titratable Total sugars Reducing Non-reducing
Treatments TSS (0Brix)
(kg/tree) acidity (%) (%) sugar (%) sugar (%)
T1- NAA 25ppm 40.09 11.52 0.550 6.15 2.95 3.20
T2- NAA 50ppm 43.44 11.10 0.520 6.26 3.04 3.22
T3- NAA 75ppm 44.66 11.15 0.520 6.38 3.08 3.30
T4- Zinc sulphate 0.5% 42.76 11.93 0.480 6.20 2.98 3.22
T5- Zinc sulphate 0.75% 44.13 11.19 0.450 6.35 3.08 3.27
T6- Zinc sulphate 1% 46.95 11.55 0.430 6.41 3.10 3.34
T7- Borax 0.4% 41.65 10.67 0.573 6.16 2.96 3.20
T8- Borax 0.6% 43.58 11.13 0.540 6.28 3.03 3.25
T9- Borax 0.8% 44.73 11.16 0.520 6.37 3.06 3.31
T10- Control 34.84 9.75 0.740 5.82 2.81 3.01
SE(m)± 0.679 0.089 0.014 0.018 0.021 0.026
CD at 5% 2.032 0.266 0.043 0.054 0.064 0.077

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