Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
MS Mandave, RG Khandekar, BR Salvi, UB Pethe and CD Pawar

Abstract:
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) is native to Southeast Asia (chromosome no. 2n = 4x =56). The jackfruit tree belongs to the family Moraceae. The study was undertaken entitled 'Studies on the floral biology and fruit development in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) var Konkan Prolific' during the year 2021-2022. The flowering period of jackfruit for male flowers starts on 23 October 2021 and ends on 2 June 2022 whereas for female flowers flowering season starts on 12 November 2021 and ends on 14 April 2022. Male spikes took an average of 47.4 days and female spikes took an average of 63 days for flower bud development from bud appearance. Maximum flowering (Both male and female) was seen in the month of February. Both male and female spikes took an average of 24.90 days between two successive spike openings and an average of 5.80 days from the initiation of spike opening to the shedding of the spathe. The male spikes took an average of 13.60 days for anthesis from spike opening. The pollens are available for an average of 11.90 days on a spike. The female spikes took an average of 12.70 days for the protrusion of the stigma from the spike opening. The duration required to fertilize stigmas on female spikes took an average of 26 days whereas for the fertilization of individual stigma it took an average of 22 days. Jackfruit took an average of 28.20 days for fruit set from stigma appearance.