Application of different levels of NPK along with soil and foliar application of zinc and boron on yield, quality and nutrient content of cashew nut for increasing quality parameter, in lateritic soil of Konkan

Abstract

An attempt has been made to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium along with soil and foliar application of zinc and boron on yield and quality of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) Variety Vengurla-4 in lateritic soil of Konkan during May 2015 to April 2016 in Randomized Block Design with four levels of NPK (1.0:0.25:0.25, 1.0:0.50:0.50, 1.5:0.75:0.75 and 2.0:1.0:1.0 kg NPK per tree) with or without soil application of boron through borax @ 50 g + zinc through zinc sulphate @ 125 g/tree or foliar application of boron through borax @ 0.25% + zinc through zinc sulphate @ 0.5% /tree, an absolute control (To judge the fate of native nutrients) comprising thirteen treatments replicated thrice. It is revealed from the study that 22.36 to 57.97 percent increase in the yield of cashew nut was recorded during 2015-16 with application of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium along with soil or foliar application of boron through borax and zinc through zinc sulphate. The highest yield of cashew nut per tree (11.80 kg tree-1)and number of nuts per kg were was recorded with the application of recommended dose of fertilizer + soil application of boron through borax @ 50 g + zinc through zinc sulphate @ 125 g/tree (treatment T6). Application of 1.5:0.75:0.75 kg /tree + boron through Borax @ 0.25% + zinc through zinc sulphate @ 0.5% /tree (T12) exhibited significantly higher total N, P and K as well as protein and oil content of cashew kernel. Application of 1.0:0.50:0.50 NPK kg/tree + foliar application of boron through borax @ 0.25% + zinc through zinc sulphate @ 0.5% / tree (T11) recorded significantly higher total nitrogen and copper in cashew nut leaves, while Application of 2.0:1.0:1.0 NPK kg/ tree + boron through borax @ 0.25% + zinc through zinc sulphate @ 0.5%/tree (T13) recorded significantly higher total micronutrient (viz., Mn, Zn and B) in cashew nut leaves and also micronutrient (viz., Fe,Mn, Zn and Cu) in cashew kernel. By considering the higher yield of cashew nut, protein and oil content, NPK and micro-nutrient (i.e. Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B) content in leaf at different growth stages of cashew (i.e. at new emergence shoot stage, flowering stage, nut setting stage and at harvest), application 1.0:0.50:0.50 kg NPK per tree along with spraying of foliar application of boron though borax @ 0.25% + zinc through zinc sulphate @ 0.5% was to be beneficial in lateritic soils of Konkan.