FLOWERING BEHAVIOR AND BAHAR REGULATION IN ACID LIME
ABSTRACT
Nepal has a great pool of genetic resources of lime, but there lies a wide gap between demands and supply of acid lime across the country Acid lime exhibits some sorts of alternate bearing that leads to fluctuation in production which renders continuous supply of fruits to market is difficult. Acid lime flowers and produces fruits almost all the year round, but there are three major flushes in June-July, September-October and January – February. These are known as Mrig Bahar, Hasta Bahar and Ambe Bahar respectively. Gibberellic acid was found to be best option to extend flowering period in acid lime during hasta bahar and also to promote more vegetative growth. Similarly, cycocel acted to inhibit the growth attained by gibberellins and encourage flower bud formation assisted by the action of potassium nitrate as bud dormancy breaking agent. Paclobutrazol, a growth retardant has been used with considerable success to induce early flowering for off-season production in several fruit crops including acid lime. Imposition of stress measured in terms of soil moisture and low temperature results uniformity in flushing, as uncontrolled flushing is undesirable.