EFFECT OF INTEGRETED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF APRICOT (Prunus armeniaca L.)
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Date
2017
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigations entitled “Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and
fruit quality of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)” was carried out in the experimental orchard at Horticultural
Research and Training station and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (HRTS & KVK), Kandaghat, Solan (H.P.) during
2015-2017 on full grown (20 years) apricot trees of New Castle cultivar, planted at a distance of 5 × 5 m. The
experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD). The experiment consisted of 14 treatments viz.
recommended dose of fertilizers, Jeevamrut ( 3 applications at one month interval ), FYM + Azotobacter + PSB,
Vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB, 100 % N (CN) + 0 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + FYM, 75 % N
(CN) + 25 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + FYM, 50 % N (CN) + 50 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB +
FYM, 25 % N (CN) + 75 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + FYM, 0 % N (CN) + 100 % N (Urea) +
Azotobacter + PSB + FYM, 100 % N (CN) + 0 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost, 75 % N
(CN) + 25 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost, 50 % N (CN) + 50 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter +
PSB + Vermicompost, 25 % N (CN) + 75 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost and 0 % N (CN) +
100 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost, each treatment was replicated thrice. The results
revealed that the application of different integrated nutrient sources in apricot trees significantly influenced the
plant vegetative characters, fruiting characters, physico-chemical characters, leaf nutrient status, soil nutrient
status and benefit to cost ratio. Maximum increase in tree height (31.73 %), tree spread (34.22 %), tree volume
(38.84 %), annual shoot extension growth (93.91 %) was recorded with the application of treatment T11
consisting of 75 % N (CN) + 25 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost. Maximum increase in tree
trunk girth (6.82 %), highest leaf chlorophyll content (3.00 mg/g fresh weight), leaf area (58.29 cm), fruit set
(61.00 %), total yield (61.9 kg/tree) was recorded in treatment T12 consisting of 50 % N (CN) + 50 % N (Urea) +
Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost. However, fruit TSS, total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars were
significantly higher in T7 [50 % N (CN) + 50 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + FYM] which were statistically
at par with T12. Regarding nutrient status, the highest leaf N (2.95 %), leaf K (2.60 %), soil N (386.33 kg/ha),
soil P (51.00 kg/ha) and soil organic carbon content (1.81 %) was recorded in T12 [50 % N (CN) + 50 % N
(Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost]. Net return and profit over RDF were found maximum in T12.
Hence T12 [50 % N (CN) + 50 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost] was found to be the best
treatment in respect of fruit size, fruit yield, fruit quality, leaf and soil nutrient status, net return and profit over
RDF followed by T7 [50 % N (CN) + 50 % N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + FYM].
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