Impact of Pre-Bloom Air Temperature on Leaf, Flower Progession and Yeild of Pear Strains in North-Western Plains of India

Abstract

Temperature fluctuations are known to affect the vegetative and fructification processes in fruit plants. In the present study, the impact of pre-blooming temperature on leaf & flower progression, fruit yield and weight of fifteen pear strains was examined at Department of Fruit Science, PAU, Ludhiana in the year 2011 and 2012. It was observed that the mean maximum and minimum temperature during February 2011 was increased by 1.60 °C and 2.64 °C, respectively as compared to following year. The change in temperature altered the leaf emergence and flowering in all the examined pear strains. Flower emergence was initiated on 21st February (S 27) and 28th February (S 13) in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The full bloom period ranged from 2nd March (S 27) to 12th March (S 30) in 2011 however, in following year it was delayed by one week. Similar trend was recorded with respect to the leaf emergence and end of leaf emergence. The higher yield was recorded in all the pear strains in 2012 as compared to 2011 . However, fruit weight was greater in a year of higher pre-bloom temperature in most of the pear strains.