Mango fruit yield and quality improvement through fertigation along with mulch.
Rashmi Panwar, Singh S. K., Singh C. P., Singh P. K.
Author Affiliation: G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand 263 145, India.
Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 77 : 680-684
Abstract : Improvement in fruit yield and quality with fertigation and plastic mulch as against the conventional method of application of surface irrigation without mulch was studied in 'Dashehari' mango (Mangifera indica) in Pantnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. Maximum fruit yield, i.e., 328.33, 273.33 fruits and 41.18, 44.93 kg/tree, was recorded in the treatment combination I1F1 (drip irrigation at 'V' level with mulch+full dose of fertilizer through fertigation). In the first week of April, May and June, maximum fruit set was observed with different levels of irrigation and mulch (I1, F1, I1, F2 during 2002 and 2003). Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of leaves were also significantly influenced by drip irrigation with mulch and different doses of fertilizers including their interaction without any fixed trend. With the treatment combination I3F1 (drip irrigation at 'V' level without mulch+full dose of fertilizers), maximum ?-carotene content, i.e., 2.02 g, 2.0 g/100 g of pulp was recorded during 2002 and 2003, respectively. Average fruit weight (I3F1 and I8F2) and fruit volume (I6 F2 and I7 F1) were also increased during 2002 and 2003 respectively. To receive maximum fruit yield with quality fruits, 'Dashehari' mango trees should be provided with 100% followed by 75% fertilizers of recommended doses+'V' level of irrigation with mulch.