Effect of Potash Application on Yield and Quality of Kinnow Mandarin in Sandy Loam Soils of South Western Zone in Haryana, India
R. P. S. Dalal *
Department of Horticulture, CCSHAU, Hisar, India.
G. S. Rana
Department of Horticulture, CCSHAU, Hisar, India.
Reena Chauhan
Department of Horticulture, CCSHAU, Hisar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present investigation was carried out at CCS HAU, Hisar (Haryana) during 2017-2021 on sandy loam soils to investigate the effect of soil and foliar applied potassium on Kinnow productivity and quality. There were five treatments viz T1- 0.0g MOP plant-1 (control), T2- soil application of 175g MOP plant-1 (RDK), T3- soil application of 250.0g MOP plant-1, T4- soil application of 325.0g MOP plant-1 and T5- soil application of 175g MOP plant-1 (RDK) followed by foliar application of KNO3@ 2.0% in the end of May June and July laid out in RCBD with four replications. The data showed that treatment with soil application of 325.0g MOP plant-1 produced highest yield and yield parameters (average fruit weight, reduces fruit drop) followed by soil application of 175.0g MOP plant-1 + foliar sprays of KNO3@ 2.0% in the end of May, June and July with leaf N/K ratio of 2.18-2.27 over control and recommended dose of K. The later treatments also markedly improved the quality in respect of TSS/acid ratio and ascorbic acid content without influencing the juice and peel thickness. Over all, either soil application of 325.0g MOP plant-1 or soil application of 175.0g MOP plant-1 + foliar sprays of KNO3@ 2.0% in the end of May, June and July along with recommended dose of N and P is suggested to improve the productivity and fruit quality in Kinnow in sandy loam soils of south western zone in Haryana.
Keywords: Citrus, nutrients, soil & foliar application, physico chemical quality, leaf nutrients content