Foliar application of zinc, manganese, copper and boron influenced the fruit growth, development and quality of Khasi Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2016 and 2017 at Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram to study role of micronutrients on fruit growth and development of Khasi Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco). Randomized block design was adopted with sixteen treatments such as, Foliar application of T1: Zinc (Zn),T2:Manganese (Mn),T3: Copper (Cu), T4: Boron (B), T5: Zn + Mn,T6: Zn + Cu,T7: Zn + B,T8: Mn + Cu,T9: Mn + B,T10: Cu +B,T11: Zn + Mn + Cu,T12: Zn + Mn + B,T13: Zn + Cu + B,T14: Mn + Cu + B,T15: Zn + Mn + Cu + B,T16: Control (no micro nutrients). From the pooled analysis of two consecutive years during the experiment, foliar application of Zn+Cu+ B (T13) showed maximum fruit set percentage, maximum fruit yield, maximum number of fruits per tree, highest fruit retention percentage, highest ascorbic acid content, total sugar and minimum total fruit drop percentage, seed number per fruit and acidity percentage. Whereas, highest TSS and minimum seed weight and minimum peel weight were observed with treatment which received micronutrient combination of Zn + Mn + Cu+ B (T15) against control. However, maximum fruit weight was observed with application of Zn + Mn + B (T12) and maximum fruit juice content with foliar application of Zn + Mn + Cu (T11).