Tropical & Subtropical Fruits

Degree of bienniality in relation to sex ratio

• Some workers hold the view that the yield potential and intensity of bienniality are related to number of hermaphrodite flowers and sex ratio. But data collected at Dharwar (Jyothi, 1955; Rao and Bhandary, 1975) do not support this view. Baneshan has lower number (73/panicle) of hermaphrodite flowers with a sex ratio of 6.8: 1 as compared to Neelum which contain higher number (231.7/panicle) of hermaphrodite flowers with a sex ratio of 3:1. But the yield potential of Baneshan is higher (697 fruits/tree) than Neelum (644 fruits/tree) and is weakly biennial (Table la & lb) whereas Neelum is mod¬erately biennial (Rao., et al 1990).
• According to Singh (1954), the number of hermaphrodite flowers or the sex ratio is a varietal feature and the yield is determined by ultimate retention of fruits till maturity rather than the number of hermaphrodite flowers or the extent of fruit set. At Dharwad, one fruit per panicle norm has been observed to result in fairly higher yield in Alphonso.