Effect of nutrient levels and split application through fertigation on yield and quality of Nagpur mandarin

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in Narayangaon Rithi village on farmer’s field, Tehsil Narkhed, District Nagpur on 8 years old Nagpur mandarin during 2023-24 on ambia bahar. The experiment was laid in split plot design in selected orchard having drip irrigation system and treatments were imposed. It was observed that, number of fruits per tree (642), weight of fruit (162.3 g) and fruit yield (41.11 t ha-1) were significantly highest under (NL 5) 325 N + 160 P2O5 + 325 K2O + 30 S + 24 Mg + 9 Zn + 12.5 Fe + 1.5 B kg ha-1. Significantly highest weight of fruit (140.7 g) and yield (34.72 t ha-1) was recorded under application of 24 splits at 10 days interval. The treatment combination of 325 N + 160 P2O5 + 325 K2O + 30 S + 24 Mg + 9 Zn + 12.5 Fe + 1.5 B kg ha-1 (NL 5) and 18 splits (S2) at 15 days interval recorded significantly highest fruit yield (44.02 t ha-1). Further, the result also indicated that, superior fruit quality parameters such as juice percent (50.98%), TSS (11.03 0Brix), Brix: acid ratio (13.08) and ascorbic acid (35.82 mg 100 ml-1) found in treatment 325 N + 160 P2O5 + 325 K2O + 30 S + 24 Mg + 9 Zn + 12.5 Fe + 1.5 B kg ha-1 and highest juice percentage (49.92%), TSS (10.51 0Brix), Brix: acid ratio (12.05) and ascorbic acid (35.55 mg 100 ml-1) with 24 splits at 10 days interval.