Effect of Foliar Application of Macro and Micronutrients on Quality of Kinnow Mandarin

Aims: To determine the suitable combination of fertilizers for obtaining high quality fruits from Kinnow orchard.

Study Design: The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications per treatment on Kinnow mandarin.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted on seven years old earmarked plants at Experimental Orchard and in Post-harvest Technology Laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India during the year 2016-17.

Methodology: The treatments comprising of 11 combinations of Urea, K2SO4, ZnSO4, FeSO4 and boric acid which were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Seven years old uniformly grown trees spaced at 6x6 m were selected for the present study and analyzed for yield and quality parameters such astotal soluble solids (%), acidity (%), ascorbic acid (mg/100 ml juice), juice content (%), TSS to acid ratio etc.

Results: In comparison to other fertilizers combinations, the maximum fruit yield per plant (97.83 kg/plant), juice content (49.47%), total soluble solids (9.80%), TSS to acid ratio (11.95) and ascorbic acid content (32.30mg/100ml) and minimum acidity (0.83%), rag (24.00%) and peel content (25.60%) and peel thickness (3.42 mm) were registered with foliar application of Urea 1.0% + K2SO4 1.0% + ZnSO4 0.5% + FeSO4 0.5% + H3BO3 0.2%, however, the foliar spray of Urea, K2SO4, ZnSO4, FeSO4 and boric acid had no effect on number of seeds per fruit in Kinnow mandarin. Thus it is clear from results that foliar nutrient application showed a stimulating influence on yield and quality parameters of Kinnow fruits.

Conclusion: From the research findings it can be concluded that the maximum potential of Kinnow mandarin plants in respect of fruit yield per plant, juice content, total soluble solids, TSS to acid ratio and ascorbic acid content was exploited to a maximum level and the acidity, rag and peel content and peel thickness to a minimum level with foliar application of Urea 1.0% + K2SO4 1.0% + ZnSO4 0.5% + FeSO4 0.5% + H3BO3 0.2%.