Effects of Chemicals and Insecticides on Defoliation in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. 'Kesar')

Pomegranate cultivar 'Kesar' was the subject of experimentation in a farmer's field in Jumnal village, Dist. Bijapur, Karnataka state. In pomegranate, defoliation by Ethephon 39% SL aids in the translocation of nutrients back to the branches by means of senescence. Other chemicals, like Thiourea, insecticides like Metacid and Profenofos are also used by the pomegranate growers to aid in the formation of an abscission layer. The Ethephon 39% SL was used at a concentration of 1000 ppm, whereas Thiourea alone 3 g/L, Ethephon 39% SL 1 ml + Thiourea 3 g + 2 g DAP/L, Metacid 2 ml/L, Profenofos 2 ml/L for defoliation purposes in pomegranate. The defoliation of pomegranate was effective with Ethephon 1000 ppm as compared to Metacid 2 ml/L and Profenofos 2 ml/L of water, and urea phosphate at 5 g/L.