EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AND SHOOT BENDING ON GROWTH AND FRUITING OF PLUM (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cv. BLACK AMBER
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Date
2023-10-21
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
Abstract
The present study entitled “Effect of integrated nutrient management and shoot bending
on growth and fruiting of plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cv. Black Amber” was conducted at
farmer’s orchard in Village Mangsu, Distt. Shimla (H.P.) during 2021 and 2022. The study was
conducted in 2 experiments. The experiment-I on integrated nutrient management consisted of 11
treatments with 4 replications in randomized block design (RBD). The chemical fertilizer (NPK) were
applied at 4 levels of the recommended doses of fertilizers i.e. 100%, 80%, 70%, and 80%, as per
package of practices of the University. Farmyard manure and vermicompost were applied to
compensate the 10% and 20% recommended dose of nitrogen. Microbial inoculants were biofertilizer
(Azotobacter and PSB) and jeevamrit. The treatment T6 (70 % RDF + 10 % RDN through
vermicompost + biofertilizer) recorded the highest annual shoot growth, fruit set, fruit yield,
photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, fruit firmness, soil organic carbon, water
holding capacity, soil porosity, soil Azotobacter count, soil dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase
activity. Whereas, treatment T7 (70 % RDF + 10 % RDN through vermicompost + jeevamrit)
recorded the maximum percent increase in tree volume, leaf chlorophyll content and fruit quality
attributes namely. fruit weight, fruit size, TSS, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars
content. All the treatments maintained the leaf nutrient status in optimum range during the study. The
results of present investigation reveal the improved tree growth and productivity with lowering the
fertilizer use in the orchard. The experiment-II consisted of 3 bending angle (45°, 60° and 90°) and 6
heading back treatments (25% head back, no head back, 50% head back, April pinching, May
pinching and June pinching) with 3 replications in factorial RBD design. The fruiting and yield were
significantly increased with increase in bending angle 90°>60°>45°, especially during the early years
of plantation. The reduction in lateral growth was recorded in bent shoots due to reduction in annual
growth increment. The integration of modern training and integrated nutrient management techniques
in the plum orchard can help in maintaining the tree vigour and improve fruit quality.