Effect of integrated nutrient sources on fruit quality of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess the responses of different combinations of FYM, vermicompost, PSB, Azotobacter, nitrogenous sources (calcium nitrate and urea) along with Jeevamrut during 2015-2017 on full grown (20 years) apricot trees of New Castle cultivar, planted at a distance of 5 × 5 m. The experiment had fourteen treatments with three replicates. It has been found that different treatments had a sighificant effect on fruit quality parameters. Maximum fruit length, fruit firmness and fruit breadth, fruit suture, fruit weight and fruit volume was recorded with the application of 50% N (CN) + 50% N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost and 0% N (CN) + 50% N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost, respectively. While, maximum TSS, TSS/acid ratio, total sugars (11.45%), reducing sugars and minimum titratable acidity was recorded under 50% N (CN) + 50% N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + FYM]. Also, maximum yield was recorded with application of 50% N (CN) + 50% N (Urea) + Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost during the present course of study.