Effect of potassium and zinc on growth, physiological and yield attributes in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) cv. “mosambi” under high density planting

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of potassium and zinc on Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) cv. “Mosambi” during the year 2018. Eight years old uniformly grown Mosambi Sweet orange plants, grafted on Karna Khatta rootstock and planted at a distance of 3.0 x 2.5m were used in this investigation. The investigation was carried out in high density planting area of Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur, under the Department of Fruit & Fruit Technology. Twelve different treatments of K and Zn in a simple randomized block design were used. Various treatments showed significant effect on physiological, vegetative and yield parameters. The maximum leaf area (23.53cm2), total chlorophyll content (3.04mg/g), leaf relative water content (75.82%), specific leaf weight (0.0164g/cm2) were observed in T12 (K2O @500g +Zinc sulphate @200 g) whereas minimum in T1(control). The maximum increase in current season shoot length (13.22cm), canopy spread (64.17cm), trunk girth (1.93cm) and plant height (36.67cm) were also recorded in T12 (500g K2O and 200g ZnSO4) whereas minimum in control. The maximum number of fruits per tree was counted (92.67) in T8.