Effect of foliar application of potassium and plant growth regulators on growth, yield, quality and shelf life of Kinnow mandarin under rain-fed condition
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Date
2018-09
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu, jammu (J&K)
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Effect of foliar application of potassium and plant growth regulators on growth, yield, quality and shelf life of Kinnow mandarin under rain-fed condition” was carried out in the year 2017-18 at Rainfed Research Sub-station for Sub-tropical Fruits, SKUAST-Jammu, Raya. Twelve year old plants of Kinnow mandarin were sprayed at two stages viz., first spray was performed during first week of May 2017 and second spray after six weeks from first spray with potassium nitrate (1.0 %, 2.0 %, 3.0 %), potassium sulphate (0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 %) and plant growth regulators GA3 (75 ppm) and ethrel (150 ppm, 300 ppm, 450 ppm). The results of the present investigation revealed that the Kinnow mandarin trees treated with 75 ppm GA3 showed maximum per cent increase in plant height (10.38 %), plant spread (13.41 %), canopy volume (41.97 %), maximum number of fruits (238.33), minimum fruit drop (16.18 %) and highest fruit yield (27.43 kg/tree). The highest total soluble solids (12.49 0Brix), reducing sugars (3.52 %), total sugars (8.56 %) was recorded in 75 ppm GA3 and was at par with plants sprayed with 3.0 % KNO3. The maximum fruit length (6.61 cm), fruit breadth (7.67 cm), fruit weight (115.23 g), fruit volume (114.65 cc), rind weight (24.88 g), rind thickness (2.70 mm), lowest specific gravity (1.005), juice content (55.90 %) and ascorbic acid content (24.80 mg/100 g) was observed in plants treated with 3.0 % KNO3 and was at par with the fruits obtained from plants sprayed with 75 ppm GA3. The fruits treated with 1.0 % KNO3 showed minimum stained/shrivelled/winkled fruits during first two weeks under ambient condition. Fruit weight, fruit length, rind weight, rind thickness, juice percentage, acidity and ascorbic acid content decreased with increase in storage period. The maximum nitrogen (2.58 %) and potassium (1.53 %) content in leaves and fruits was recorded in 3.0 % KNO3. The highest benefit: cost ratio (3.88: 1) was registered with 75 ppm GA3.
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