EFFECT OF DRIP FERTIGATION AND MULCH ON SOIL NUTRIENT STATUS AND GROWTH PARAMETERS OF APRICOT (PRUNUS ARMENIACA) CV. HARCOT
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Date
2012
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Drip fertigation consequences in apricot, with and without mulch, have not
yet been completely established especially, in Himalayan region. The present studies
were therefore, undertaken during 2012 to investigate the effect of drip fertigation
and mulch on soil nutrient distribution, hydrothermal regimes and growth parameters
of apricot. A field experiment was conducted in the university orchard wherein, three
fertigation levels (100, 80 and 60 per cent of recommended dose) were tried and
compared with conventional practices, with and without mulch. Available N and K
content under drip fertigation and conventional fertilization were significantly higher
in the upper 0-10 cm soil layers. Among all the tried treatments, high available P
content was noted in the surface soil layer (0-10 cm) compared to lower layer (10-20
cm). Soil moisture content under drip fertigation and conventional soil fertilization
remained higher in the upper soil layers (0-10 cm). Mulch raised the minimum soil
temperature by 2.7oC, whereas, it failed to alter the maximum soil temperature
appreciably. Leaf nutrient contents were unaffected by the kind and method of
fertilizer application. Drip fertigation resulted in significantly higher tree growth of
apricot, compared to conventional soil fertilization. Thus saving in fertilizers and
irrigation water can be achieved through drip fertigation plus plastic mulch besides
improvement in soil hydrothermal regimes, parameters of apricot