ISHS Acta Horticulturae 696: VII International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics - Part Two
STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF MICRO-IRRIGATION LEVELS ON GROWTH, YIELD, FRUIT QUALITY AND NUTRIENT ASSIMILATION OF DELICIOUS APPLE |
| Authors: | P.S. Chauhan, A. Sud, L.K. Sharma, M.S. Mankotia |
| Keywords: | apple, irrigation, fruit quality, nutrients |
| Abstract:
Water is one of the most crucial limiting factors in apple production in the north-western Himalayan region particularly the state of Himachal Pradesh. In order to circumvent the water stress condition especially in water scarce rainfed areas, an experiment was laid out to standardize micro-irrigation levels in apple grafted on EMLA-7 planted in high density plantation at 3.5 x 1.5 m spacing (1904 trees/ha) at Regional Horticultural Research Station, Mashobra, Shimla, India. The micro-irrigation has been found to affect significantly fruiting yield, growth parameters and nutrient contents of apple cultivars. Maximum fruit set (67.92%), fruit yield (7.89 kg/ha) and least fruit drop (7.85%) were recorded at 80% evapo-transpiration which was statistically better than control. Similarly highest fruit weight (124.4 g) and fruit volume (134.9 cc) were also recorded at 80% evapo-transpiration treatment. Red Chief was found statistically superior to other varieties in terms of fruit set (53.60%), fruit yield (6.14 kg/ha) and least fruit drop (9.45%). The nutrient assimilation as indicated by leaf nutrient content increased proportionately with increasing micro-irrigation level, recording maximum at 100% ET. 80% ET level was found to be most optimal micro-irrigation level. | |
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