Effect of foliar spray of zinc and boron on plant growth, yield and quality of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad safeda under high density planting in Prayagraj region

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the central research farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Science, Prayagraj during (July-December 2019). A high analysis of variance revealed significant differences among trail studies, suggesting sufficient variability for growth, yield and quality of guava. The results revealed that maximum plant height (295.17 cm), number of branches (8.20), no of leaf per shoot (26.38), no of fruits per plant (194.33), fruits weight (226.10g), fruits yield per plant (49.78 kg/tree), acidity (0.40%), ascorbic acid (192.80 mg/100g), total soluble solid (12.63 0Brix), and sugar (8.15%) were recorded in T9 (ZnSO4 @ 0.6 % & Boric acid @ 0.5 %) followed by T8 (ZnSO4 @ 0.6 % & Boric acid@ 0.3 %). The least values were recorded in the control. The present study indicated that combined application of micronutrients enhanced fruit set, minimized fruit drop and overall yield. This has resulted in improved sensory characters in the guava fruit.