Ludhiana, April 6
Punjab Agricultural University horticulturists today asked orchardists “not to panic” due to “erratic” flowering in kinnow. This unusual phenomenon has occurred due to an abrupt rise in the temperature, which went up to 30ºC at the end of February. It had induced excessive vegetable growth, leading to low flowering. On the other hand, some fruit growers obtained additional flowering.

The Head of the Horticulture Department, Dr Yog Raj Chanana, today said that in response to fruit growers’ demand on erratic flowering, a survey and surveillance study of 40-odd orchards in the Ferozepore-Fazilka and Hoshiarpur-Nawanshahr belts had revealed that general flowering was 10 per cent to 15 per cent higher in Hoshiarpur than in the Ferozepore-Abohar belt. In the same fields, the survey revealed, some plants had profuse flowering, with no flowering on some adjoining plants. This is attributed to “alternate bearing tendency” of particular kinnow plants.

Dr Chanana has advised kinnow growers to thin the flowering in the current month and settle for moderate kinnow yield rather than expecting a bumper crop. “This is desirable for sustainable production over a period of time and to give the necessary rest to kinnow plants,” he added.

In Punjab, fruits occupy about 47,000 hectares, out of which kinnow alone stands tall on approximately 20,000 hectares. And out of this area, almost 50 per cent is in Ferozepore district, of which 90 per cent is in Abohar subdivision, while Hoshiarpur has nearly 4,000 hectares under kinnow.

Where farmers have been advised not to take heavy crop like last year (2005-2006), Dr Chanana said in case of the low temperature in May and June, the practice of checking fruit drop with application of 2,4D may be discontinued. In case there is still heavy cropping, this may be reduced manually or by stopping irrigation. In fact, late harvesting may be avoided as far as possible. The ideal time for picking the fruit is between January 15 and February 15.

One of the major problems in kinnows is bitterness horticulturists of PAU are making a selection for seedless kinnow plants. The excess seeds, 25-30 in a kinnow are a bane. Efforts for seedless kinnow are afoot by identifying natural mutants and also by invoking mutation through radiation.

At present, heavy crop load is as a result of low fruit drop due to rains and low temperature in May-June last year, which has also led to erratic flowering now. Even late harvesting of the last year crop due to market problems has aggravated this problem.

Orchards in sandy soils have shown more flowering as compared to the ones grown in heavy soils. The flowering is quite high in the plants which are under stress either due to disease or other problems like insect-pests last year.

Ludhiana, April 6
Students of the JD Institute of Fashion Technology campaigned against cruelty to animals with its project ‘Vegetarianism is in’ here today.

Designers of the institute created beautiful garments with vegetable products and a fashion fiesta was organised.

Fashion design students created garments based on themes like ‘Multi-hued’, ‘Fruit rhapsody’, ‘The bitter bitter taste’, ‘Save humanity — be natural’, ‘Fascinating foliage’, ‘Pulsating health and fitness concoction’.

Ms Pragiti Taneja, director of the institute, said she wanted the students to go beyond curriculum and bring out their creativity in real-life situations.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 6
Trustees and members of the Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar and Anand Isher Educational Trust started a new chapter in the field of medical education by laying foundation stone of Anand Isher Amar Prakash School of Nursing, which would be affiliated with a foreign institute. The stone was laid by two students of the school in presence of dignitaries led by former ADGP D.R. Bhatti.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Bhatti urged leaders of various educational and social organisations to make people aware of the significance of professional education. “We must understand that women being equal to men in their rights need to perform duties equally. There are certain professions where only women could justify their duties and nursing has been considered one of them,” he said.

Mr Kartar Singh, Principal of the school, claimed that the trust had envisaged teaching of paramedical courses as a better service to the society as it would provide wider avenues for coming generations. He said the proposed school of nursing would be affiliated with a foreign university or a board so as enable the students find jobs abroad.

Dr Gurjit Singh, Mr Ajit Singh Kular and Mr Baldev Krishan Kapila were among others who spoke on the occasion.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 6
Ms Chiter Rekha Sharma, councilor and Managing Director of Lal Bahadur Shastri Public School, urged the leaders of various social and educational organisations to recognise the role of elementary and nursery teachers in laying the foundation of higher education.

Addressing a gathering at the annual prize distribution function of NTT institute at MGMN Senior Secondary School, Ms Sharma claimed that elementary education had more significance than higher education in one’s life.

“Unfortunately the primary and elementary teachers had been ignored in the past. The trend resulted in lack of fundamental knowledge among majority of the students who to had to depend on spoon feeding during higher studies.”

The organisers felicitated outstanding students of the outgoing batch and a farewell party was also arranged.

Ms Surinder Kaur, Principal, Janta College for Women, Ms Rajni Kapila, in charge of the institute, Ms Harminder Kaur and Mr Harjinder Walia gave away prizes to the students.