Plum trees are known for their sweet fruits and beautiful blooms. However, there are times when the tree experiences flower dropping due to various reasons such as inadequate pollination, nutrient deficiency, and pests and diseases. Flower dropping can significantly reduce the yield of the crop, leading to economic losses for the farmer. Fortunately, there are several control measures that farmers can implement to reduce the incidence of flower dropping in the plum crop.
One of the primary ways to control flower dropping is through proper pollination. Plum trees require cross-pollination to set fruit. Farmers can encourage cross-pollination by planting multiple cultivars that bloom at the same time and providing pollinators such as honeybees. To ensure fruit set, farmers can also use artificial pollination methods such as hand pollination or using a mechanical pollinator.
Another critical control measure is to ensure that the plum tree receives adequate nutrients. The tree requires essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to produce healthy blooms. Farmers can conduct soil tests to determine if the soil lacks any nutrients and apply fertilizers accordingly. Additionally, farmers need to provide the tree with sufficient water to promote growth. Water deficiency may cause flower dropping.
Pests and diseases can also cause flower dropping in the plum crop. Farmers need to monitor their trees for pests and diseases regularly. Some common pests that cause flower dropping include thrips, mites, and aphids, while bacterial canker and brown rot are some of the common diseases that can cause flower dropping. Farmers can use insecticides, fungicides, and other biocontrol agents to control pests and diseases.
Finally, environmental factors such as extreme temperature fluctuations, frost, and wind can cause flower dropping. Farmers can protect their trees from these environmental factors by using shade cloths, windbreaks, and other protective measures.
In conclusion, flower dropping can significantly reduce the yield of the plum crop, leading to economic losses for the farmer. However, farmers can implement several control measures such as proper pollination, providing nutrients, monitoring pests and diseases, and protecting the tree from environmental factors to reduce the incidence of flower dropping in the plum crop.