Growth performance and diversification in agriculture towards high value crops in Madhya Pradesh: An econometrics analysis

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to standardize the renewal pruning intensities under different irrigation & nitrogen levels for getting better growth in Santa Rosa plum trees. There were three irrigation levels, four pruning severities and two nitrogen levels. Pruning was done in the month of January every year. Pruning treatments exhibited a significant effect on tree growth during both the years of study. Irrigation at 20 per cent soil moisture depletion of field capacity resulted in higher tree growth, maximum trunk girth, tree spread and volume. The maximum increase in annual shoot growth and trunk girth was recorded in T1 (75 % of HB) pruned trees, I1 and N1treatments whereas minimum was recorded in I3, T4 and N2 treatment. Maximum tree spread was recorded in I1, T3 and N1 treatment. Among the nitrogen fertilization treatments, maximum was recorded at N1as compared to N2. Interaction I1T1 had the maximum shoot growth (93.76cm), while I1N1 (67.04cm) had maximum trunk girth. Interactions, IxT and Ix N exerted a significant influence on tree spread.