Jha, K.K.Shanker, Karuna2017-06-132017-06-132015http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810019853STANDARDIZATION OF NUTRIENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING PROFITABILITY OF ULTRA HIGH DENSITY GUAVA (Psidium guajava L.)Guava (Psidium guajava Linn.), the most common fruit of sub-tropical areas originated from tropical America belongs to family Myrtaceae, also known as “apple of tropics”. It is considered as poor man’s apple due to cheapness and high nutritive value in addition to its availability in the market. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2012-2013 and 2013-2014) on 5 year old guava orchard of cv. Sardar planted at a spacing of 1.0 m x 2.0 m in Ranchi. The objective of this investigation was to standardize nutrient and water management strategy for increasing the yield and fruit quality of guava under Jharkhand conditions. The experiments were set up in a split plot design with four fertilizer doses 100%NPK i.e.580 g N, 270 g P, 400g K/plant; 60%NPK i.e. 348gN, 162gP, 240g K/plant; 40%NPK i.e. 232gN,180gP 160g K/plant; 20%NPK i.e.116gN 54gP 80g K/plant as main plots and four different foliar sprays as boric acid(0.4%), zinc sulphate (0.2%),boric acid(0.4%)+ zinc sulphate(0.2%) and water spray as sub plots with four replications. The NPK fertilizer dose was applied at an interval of every two months during June 12 to April 14 (Total of twelve times/ two year) in a 1m radius around the tree trunk (drip line of trees). The foliar application of micronutrients was sprayed at the rate 750 ml/ tree at flowering and fruit set stage during June 12 and August 14 (Total of Four times/ two year). In our 2 year study, the experimental results clearly indicated that 60% NPK fertilizer dose resulted in maximum trunk girth (55.33mm) and girth of primary branches (43.77mm), while, maximum per cent increase in trunk girth( 15.81%) and girth of primary branches( 18.62%) were recorded in 100% NPK fertilizer dose. However, maximum number of flowers per plant (18.66), number of fruits per plant (17.10) and fruit weight/ plant (3.65kg/plant) recorded in 100%NPK fertilizer dose, which was at par with 60% NPK Fertilizer dose. Highest TSS (11.73 oBrix) value was recorded in foliar application of boric acid (0.4%)+zinc sulphate(0.2%). The highest available nitrogen was 92.07 and 73.95 g/plant respectively in surface and subsurface soil layer respectively with application of 100% NPK fertilizer dose. Highest available potassium was 120.53 and 104.54 g/plant respectively in surface and subsurface soil with the application of 60% NPK fertilizer dose. Further, phosphorus content was 27.17 g/plant in surface soil with 100% fertilizer dose, while highest available phosphorus content was 15.96 g/ plant of 40% NPK in subsurface soil. The highest leaf nitrogen content was 2.60 % with foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.2%), highest leaf phosphorus content was 0.18 % with foliar spray of boric acid (0.4%). Highest leaf potassium (1.12%), zinc (40.35mg/kg),copper(30mg/kg),manganese(2062.33mg/kg) and boron (27.94mg/kg) was recorded with foliar spray of boric acid (0.4)+ zinc sulphate (0.2%). The highest nitrogen content in leaf was 2.58% in 100% NPK, highest phosphorus content in leaf was 0.18% in 40 %NPK. Application of 60% of NPK fertilizer dose resulted in highest potassium (1.13%), iron (548.18 mg/kg), copper (29.45 mg/ kg) and manganese (3208.50 mg/kg). Similarly the zinc content was 37.64 mg/kg in 20%NPK and boron content was 29.37 mg/ kg in 100% NPK. Hence, it is recommended that application of 60% of recommended dose of NPK in soil and foliar application of Zinc sulphate (0.2%) + Boric acid (0.4%) can maximize the yield and quality of fruits under ultra high density guava orchard. The experiment on standardization of water management strategy for ultra high density guava orchards A field experiment on drip irrigation scheduling in ultra high density guava orchard was conducted in five years old trees of Lucknow- 49 guava. Four levels of open pan evaporation based drip irrigation schedules (20, 40, 60, and 80% pan evaporation replenishment) and one rainfed plot to serve as control. Each treatment contained 12 plants per unit with four repetitions for each treatment. The experiments were arranged in randomized block design. Maximum irrigation water use efficiency was found in tree grown under irrigation level at 20% of PE. The IWUE decreased with increasing quantity of water applied. Application of irrigation at 60 % PE has shown better plant growth and better fruit yields of guava planted at ultra-high density. Many physical plant parameters like increase in trunk girth, number of fruits and fruit weight were observed to be better under this treatment. Also, reducing the quantity of water applied from 100% PE to 60% PE did not affect the fruit quality parameters. Therefore application of water at 60% of PE at two days irrigation interval is recommended for commercial cultivation of guava under ultra-high density planting pattern.en-USnullThesis