Standardization of water, N and K levels in high density litchi orchard cv. Rose Scented under drip fertigation
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Date
2017-12
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
The present study entitled “Standardization of water, N and K levels in high density litchi orchard cv. Rose Scented under drip fertigation” was carried at Horticulture Research Centre, Patharchatta, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar during the year 2015-16 and 2016-17. In the study, litchi trees planted at a spacing of 5 m × 5 m were subjected to drip fertigation with or without mulch along with one control. There were twelve
treatment combinations including drip irrigation at 50 per cent, 75 per cent and 100 per cent of estimated water requirement and fertigation 1:0.5 and 1:1 N/K ratio of recommended dose. On the other hand, the control involved surface irrigation with soil application of fertilizers at recommended dose (i.e. 600 g N, 300 g P and 600 g K). All other cultural practices were kept uniform in the entire course of study. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design comprising three replications. The effect on vegetative, floral, yield and fruit quality attributes was studied. The investigation revealed no significant effect of drip fertigation on vegetative growth. But, significant effect on fruiting, yield and other quality attributes was found. The study found significant influence of drip fertigation on leaf mineral nutrient content. The fruit drop and retention percentage also varied significantly due to the effect of mulch and fertigation. Further, minimum fruit cracking, maximum fruit number and yield were witnessed under the treatment combination MDI3F2 (i.e. mulch with drip irrigation at 100 per cent level and fertigation at 1:1 N/K of recommended fertilizer dose). In terms of fruit quality, again the treatment combination MDI3F2 was found superior with maximum fruit weight, edible portion (per cent), T.S.S, ascorbic acid and total sugars. It was followed by the treatment combination MDI2F2 (i.e. mulch with drip irrigation at 75 per cent level and fertigation at 1:1 N/K of recommended dose) which also registered maximum water use efficiency. Overall, the study revealed that application of mulch with drip irrigation at 100 per cent level and fertigation at 1:1 N/K of recommended fertilizer dose (MDI3F2) is most superior over other treatments but in economical terms, the treatment combination MDI2F2 is most profitable.
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