Rana, G.S.Vijay2019-06-242019-06-242019http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810109654The present investigation entitled ―Studies on the effect of soil and foliar application of biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of Kinnow mandarin‖ was carried out at experimental orchard, Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Soil application of biofertilizers consisted of three biofertilizer strains (Azotobacter chroococcum Mac 27, Azotobacter chroococcum HT 54 and Pseudomonas P36) and their combinations applied with 75% and 100% RDF in a RBD with three replications by taking one replication per plant on 10-year-old Kinnow plants raised on rough lemon rootstock. 100% RDF + Azotobacter chroococcum Mac 27 + Pseudomonas P36 proved most effective in improving growth parameters and yield which was found at par with 100% RDF + Azotobacter chroococcum HT 54 + Pseudomonas P 36. Average fruit weight was not significantly affected by biofertilizers as soil application. However, fruit quality parameters were improved with 100% RDF + Azotobacterchroococcum HT 54 + Pseudomonas P 36 treatment. Rind thickness increased with soil application of biofertilizers. Similarly, improved leaf N and P content; soil N, P, Zn, Fe, Mn content along with soil microbial biomass was found with 100% RDF + Azotobacter chroococcum Mac 27 + Pseudomonas P 36. However, no significant effect was observed on soil pH, EC, available K and Cu. Foliar application biofertilizer strains (Azotobacter chroococcum Mac 27, Azotobacter chroococcum HT 54, COJ1 and COJ5) was applied with 75% and 100% RDF during March 3rd week. 100% RDF + COJ5 (bacterial isolate) proved most effective in improving Kinnow growth charaters and yield which was found at par with 100% RDF + COJ1 (bacterial isolate). Average fruit weight was not significantly affected by biofertilizers as foliar application. Fruit quality was found superior with 100% RDF + COJ5 (bacterial isolate) treatment. Rind thickness increased with foliar application of biofertilizers, whereas no significant effect was observed on number of seeds per fruit. Soil properties in terms of soil pH, EC, available N, P, K, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn were non significant. Leaf N content and phyllosphere microbial population were found highest with 100% RDF + COJ5 (bacterial isolate).ennullThesis