NATIONAL COORDINATED FRUIT PROGRAMME

Litchi

Propagation of litchi plants is done through layering which is a time consuming and less efficient method. For rapid multiplication of true to type, disease free plants, experiment was conducted in green house using rooting hormones. Best results were obtained with indole butyric acid (IBA) @ 10,000 ppm. Rooting was 74.61%.

Avocado

An experiment was conducted to see the rooting ability of avocado cv. Fuerte with different concentrations of IBA in talk powder (1000, 2000,3000,4000 & 5000 ppm) under mist condition in the greenhouse. No significant differences were recorded in rooting response after three months of the treatments. However, basal callusing occurred in all the treatments and only callused cutting survived compared to uncallused cuttings. The experiment showed that avocado cv. Fuerte required more time for root initiation. The experiment was repeated as such and cuttings were placed in the propagating bed for longer time i.e. for six months. Root initiation was significantly affected by time period in the propagating bed. The best root initiation and survival was obtained with 4000 ppm IBA however, time required for rooting of cuttings was too long and survival rate of transplanted cuttings was very low. Avocado germplasm trial including 3 cultivars viz. California long, Ceylon purple and Fuerte has been planted in the field.

Guava

Vegetative propagation technique for bulk multiplication of selected guava plants has been standardized. Two best types one red guava (Hawaiian cultivar) and other white sweet selection were multiplied through tip cuttings. Over one thousand true to type plants were sold to the interested growers and they are producing excellent quality fruit over 10 acres near sharkpur area.

Pear

In a fruit evaluation trial on five exotic and three local cultivars of pear cultivar Leconte gave better production whereas cultivars Dr. Julius was outstanding in fruit quality and early maturity. Japanese Nashi pear also gave outstanding performance in terms of quality and quality of fruit.

Citrus

Studies were conducted on physio chemical analysis and processing of four spanish sweet citrus cultivars. On the basis of fruit quality and earliness the cultivar Sulistina was found promising. Squash quality of this cultivar was also excellent.

Peach

In a trial to observe the storability of peach fruit for prolonged market availability, mature fruit of four peach cultivars, were stored at 0° , 6° , 10° and 21° C. The cultivar Florda King was found stable uptill 8 weeks at 6° C.

1.   Evaluation of grape varieties under Islamabad conditions

2.   Performance of low chilling apple varietiess on dwarf Vs standard rootstock.

3.   Evaluation of seven peach and three nectarine varieties under Islamabad conditions.

4.   Evaluation of pear (Pyrus communis L) germplasm under Islamabad conditions.

5.   Effect of timing of NPK fertilizer application on the growth and yield of citurs (cv. Salustiana).

6.   Performance of ten guava selection in relation to fruit colour and variability.

7.   Evaluation of exotic peach and nectarine germplasm under agro climatical condition of Islamabad.

8.   Effect of growth regualtors and seasonal variation on rooting in Litchi (Litchi chinensis) cuttings.

9.   Propagation of Avocado (Persea americana Mill) cv. "Fuerte" through cuttings with the use of growth regulators in
      greenhouse under mist.

10  Effect of temperature and chemical treatments on seed germination of wild olive (Olea cuspidate wall)

11. In vitro establishment, regeneration and gene transfer studies in commercial cultivars of mango (Mangifera indica L).

12. Effect of pruning on vegetative growth and fruiting in grapes King’s Ruby and Flame seedless.

TECHNOLOGY GENERATED / RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS TO-DATE

Following Fruit Varieties Were Identified For Islamabad And Adjoining Pothwar Areas:

Mandarin         Feutrell's Early

Oranges          Blood Red, Musambi, Sukri, Salustiana

Lemons           Eureka Lemon, Chinees Lemon

Lime               Sweet Lime

Peach             Florda King, Early Grand, Florda Prince, Maravilha

Grapes            Flame Seedless, King' Ruby

Apple              Anna, En-Schimmer, Dorset Gold

Plum               Santa Rosa, Beauty, Ozark Gold

Strawberry       Toro, Chandler, Cruz

Pear                Dr. Julius, Narc-1

Olive                Uslu,Gemlik, Nucella Del Belice, Biancolilla, Pendolino, Leccino

Guava

Propagated through shoot tip cuttings using 3000 ppm Indole Butaric Acid (IBA) under mist (65% rooting success)

Peach

Propagated through semi hardwood and hardwood cuttings using Indole Butaric Acid (IBA) @ 3000 ppm under mist. (90% rooting success).

Olive

Propagated through softwood/tip cutting using 3000 ppm Indole Butaric Acid (IBA) under mist (85% rooting success)

Top-working technique of cultivated varieties on old tree was standardized to change the unproductive variety with cultivar having desirable characteristics.