Srivastava, P.C.Joshi, Ganga2016-09-102016-09-102009-01http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/76365Thesis-PhDThe present investigation was carried out during 2006-07 and 2007-08 at Horticultural Research Centre, Patharchatta, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, District Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand), to study the effect of integrated nutrient and water management under drip irrigation system in a six year old litchi (cv. Rose scented) orchard, planted at 5m distance in square geometry. The treatments comprised the combinations of four levels of fertilizer viz., no fertilizer and 75,100 and 125% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizer); one level of conventional and three levels of drip irrigation maintained at 50, 75 and 100% of estimated irrigation water requirement and two levels of mulching viz., without mulch and with black polythene mulch. The maximum plant height, plant spread and tree volume were recorded with the use of black polythene mulch + drip irrigation at 100% of estimated irrigation water requirement + 125%RDF. Both at the stages of maturation of September flush and 50% flowering, the maximum contents of N, S, B and Zn in leaves were recorded with the application of black polythene mulch + drip irrigation at 100% of estimated irrigation water requirement +125%RDF while the maximum contents of P and K were noted with black polythene mulch + drip irrigation at 75% of estimated irrigation water requirement +100%RDF in both the years. The minimum fruit drop and fruit cracking and maximum fruit yield/tree and better fruit quality were recorded with black polythene mulch + drip irrigation at 100% of estimated irrigation water requirement +100%RDF. As regards the effects of tissue age on the nutrient content of leaves, it was noted that NPK contents were higher in the immature tissue as compared to the matured leaves while the contents of S, B and Zn were higher in matured leaves. The maximum contents of available N, P, K, S, B and Zn in soil were noted under treatment receiving the black polythene mulch + drip irrigation at 100% estimated irrigation water requirement +125%RDF. Application of black polythene mulch with drip irrigation maintained an optimum temperature during winter and summer upto 15 cm soil depth and increased the microbial biomass carbon.enintegrated systems, nutrients, water management, drip irrigation systems, litchis, orchards, horticultureThesis