RESPONSE OF APRICOT (Prunus armeniaca L.) CV. NEW CASTLE TO SYSTEMS OF NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
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Date
2022-09
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The studies entitled “Response of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cv. New Castle to systems of
nutrient management” were carried out at HR&TS and KVK, Kandaghat during 2020 and 2021, with the
objectives to evaluate the effects of different nutrient management strategies on soil properties, leaf nutrient
contents, plant growth and yield and ultimately on the economics of apricot production. Bearing apricot cv. New
Castle bearing trees of age more than 20 years and planted at a distance of 5×5 m were subjected to different
treatment combinations viz. Jeevamrit+Ghanjeevamrit @ 40 kg, 60 kg and 80 kg/bigha each,
FYM+Jeevamrit+PGPR (RD of N through FYM), FYM + Biofertilizers + PGPR (R.D. of N through FYM),
80% RDF in combination with Jeevamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, Biofertilizers and PGPR and 100 % FYM + RD of N,
P and K (Recommended dose) taking one treatment as an absolute control. The soil pH and electrical
conductivity did not vary significantly with the systems of nutrient management. The maximum values for
organic carbon (22.75 and 20.40 g kg-1) were in FYM+ BF + PGPR (RD of N through FYM) followed by
FYM+JA+PGPR (RD of N by FYM), JA+ GJA @ 80 kg/bigha each and 100% FYM+ RD of N, P and K.
Available N of 529.60 kg ha-1 was found to be maximum in surface soils under 80% RD+PGPR followed by
JA+GJA @ 80 kg/bigha each. Surface soil P was maximum (144.57 kg ha-1) in FYM+JA +PGPR (RD of N by
FYM). Similarly, maximum available K in surface soils was recorded under 100 % FYM + RD of N, P and K
(771.27 kg ha-1) closely followed by 730.35 kg ha-1 in 80 % RD+JA. Exchangeable calcium, magnesium and
sulphate-sulphur did not vary significantly. Maximum DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn as well as the
microbiological parameters were reported under organically amended soils as well as soils receiving natural
farming treatments like Jeevamrit and Ghanjeevamrit. The sub-surface (20-40 cm) soils also followed the
similar trend although their contents were slightly lower than the surface depths. The maximum leaf N (3.15%),
Ca (2.78%), Mg (0.74%), S (0.28%), Cu (14.45 ppm), Fe (198.31 ppm) and Mn (78.77 ppm) were found in 100
% FYM + RD of N, P and K. The organically amended and naturally farming treatments were at par in case of
many leaf nutrients. Similarly for fruit parameters the 100 % FYM + RD of N, P and K gave maximum trunk
girth (72.07 cm), annual shoot length (85.96 cm), tree height (5.08 m), tree spread (4.08 m), canopy volume
(44.25 m3), leaf area (38.01 cm2), fruit weight (31.83 g), fruit volume (31.93 cc), fruit length (36.93 mm), fruit
breadth (39.80 mm), TSS (16.24 ºB), fruit set (78.03 %) and also fruit yield (37.1 kg tree-1). Although the values
for other systems of management were lower but in many treatments they were statistically at par making them
equally viable. The maximum agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (215.19 kg kg-1), agronomic phosphorus use
efficiency (922.89 kg kg-1) and agronomic potassium use efficiency (376.85 kg kg-1) were recorded in the
treatment comprising of the application of Jeevamrit and Ghanjeevamrit @ 40 kg per bigha each. But the best
economic option was 100 % FYM + RD of N, P and K with a ratio of 2.9:1 followed by 80 % RD +
Ghanjeevamrit with B:C ratio of 2.4.