Effect of zinc and zinc based biostimulants on physical quality of aonla (Emblica officinalis) cv. Chakaiya

Abstract

The present field investigation entitled “Effect of Foliar Application of Zinc and Zinc Based Biostimulants on Quality of Aonla (Emblica Officinalis Gaertn.) cv. Chakaiya” was conducted during year i.e. 2024-25 at Research Farm, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Rajsamand, Rajasthan. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Fifteen-year-old aonla plants were applied various treatments comprised of seven treatment with different combination consisting of water spray (control), ZnSO4 @ 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and ZnSO4 + chitosan @ 0.25%, 0.5%, 075% were used in the present study. The first, foliar spray was applied in the month of August at marble stage and 2nd spray was done after one month of first spray and uniform cultural schedule was followed in all the treatments during the course of investigation. The results revealed that application of chitosan + ZnSO4 @ 0.75% (T7) significantly increased the fruit length (4.29 cm), fruit diameter (4.34 cm), fruit weight (41.87 g fruit-1) and minimum seed weight (1.80 g), maximize pulp weight (44.42 g), pulp/ seed ratio (24.74) and fruit firmness (11.13 kg/cm2).