Journal of Environmental Biology

Factors affecting fruit drop problem in bael (Aegle marmelos Correa)

P.K. Shukla¹, A. Kushwaha¹, A.K. Trivedi¹*, N. Kumari², S.K. Shukla¹, H. Singh¹, A. Singh¹ and S. Pandey¹     

¹ICAR - Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow –226 101, India

²ICAR - Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Regional Research Station, Bhopal - 462 030, India

Received: 23 April 2025                   Revised: 24 July 2025                   Accepted: 09 February 2026

*Corresponding Author Email: ajayakumartrivedi@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0733-1027

Abstract

Aim: To assess the extent of fruit drop and effect of pathogenic, physiological and weather factors in bael (Aegle marmelos Correa), a subtropical deciduous fruit tree suffering from severe fruit drop.

Methodology: The extent of fruit drop at different stages of fruit development was recorded through roving survey in farmers’ orchards and in a fixed plot at weekly intervals. Pathogenic, physiological and weather parameters were recorded for evaluating their role in fruit drop.

Results: During roving surveys the maximum incidence of infection was observed in fallen fruits (95%) followed by fruits on tree (55.5%). In the fixed orchards, the maximum fruit drop was found in the cultivar CISH B-2, followed by Pant Shivani during the months of July-August and January-February. The maximum temperature, wind velocity and sunshine hours had positive relationship with the extent of fruit drop. Under cold condition, decrease in the total chlorophyll content in leaves, vapor pressure deficit, transpiration rate and photosynthetic rate was recorded.

Interpretation: The findings of the study indicate that severe bael fruit drop due to low temperature, and the fungal infection make the bael production less remunerative.

Key words: Aegle marmelos, Fruit drop, Infection, Weather

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