Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
AS Waghmare, RG Khandekar, BR Salvi, UB Pethe and KV Malshe

Abstract:
Areca nut (Areca catechu L.) is native to Malaysia or the Philippines (chromosome no. 2n = 32). The Areca nut palm belongs to the family palmae. The study was undertaken entitled “Studies on floral biology and nut set in Areca nut (Areca catechu L.) cvs. Shrivardhan and Mangala’’ during the year 2021-2022. It was observed that initiation of flowering season started in Areca nut cvs. Shrivardhan from 24^th November 2021 and it last upto 26^th May 2022. While, in Mangala variety initiation of flowering started from 24^th November 2021 and it last upto 30^th May 2022. The peak flowering period for male and female flowers from 4th December 2021 up to 27^th March 2022 whereas the variety Shrivardhan recorded length of spadix was 50.14 cm whereas mangala recorded as 49.01 and the Shrivardhan variety recorded breadth of spadix as 76.08 cm and Mangala variety recorded it 71.59 cm. The Shrivardhan variety recorded mean secondary rachis per inflorescence 13.72 and Mangala variety recorded it as 13.81. The Shrivardhan variety recorded mean number of male flower per inflorescence as 31182.32 whereas Mangala variety recorded as 33622.05. The Shrivardhan variety recorded days required for spathe fall 3.58 whereas, Mangala variety recorded 3.34 and the Shrivardhan variety recorded total rachis per inflorescence 448.3 and Mangala variety recorded it as 474.12. The Shrivardhan variety recorded mean breadth of spathe 13.99 cm whereas Mangala variety recorded as 14.58 cm and while, the Shrivardhan variety recorded mean Period required for spathe splitting from last leaf fall as 2.91 (days) and Mangala variety recorded as 2.49. The Shrivardhan variety time taken for fertilization (days) 61.54 while, Mangala variety recorded 59.15 days.