Impact of fertigation schedule on vegetative growth, yield and quality of carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) in lateritic soils of Konkan region

Abstract

Carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) is also known as star fruit. A field experiment to investigate the effect of fertigation and irrigation levels on vegetative growth and yield of carambola. To assess the influence of fertigation on growth and yield of carambola, investigations were carried out in carambola during 2024 - 2025 at Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Dapoli (MS). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 12 treatments, replicated thrice. The main plots consisted of four fertilizer levels (00:00:00, 100:50:25, 125:75:50 and 200:100:75 g NPK plant⁻¹), while the subplots comprised three irrigation levels (60%, 80% and 100% ETc). The application of 125:75:50 g NPK plant-1 + 100% ETc (F3I3) treatment combination recorded the highest plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of branches, maximum number of fruits and fruit quality. Among the diferent fertigation and irrigation levels, the applications of 125:75:50 g NPK per plant at 100% ETc in seven splits were found to be optimal and eficient fertigation scheduling under lateritic soils of Konkan for growth and yield of carambola, with greater significance after the first year of establishment.