Efficacy of NPK management through fertigation on growth characteristics of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) plant

Singh, B. P.; Dimri, D. C.; Singh, S.C.

Efficacy of NPK management through fertigation on growth characteristics of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) plant

2007

Singh, B. P. | Dimri, D. C. | Singh, S.C.

The present investigation was carried out during the year 2004-05 at experimental Block of Department of Horticulture, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Hill Campus, Ranichauri, Tehri Garwhal, Uttarakhand. The NPK fertilizers were applied through fertigation as well as soil application in five treatment combinations to test various attributes of 3-yr-old spur type apple cv Red Chief. The investigation indicated the highest vegetative growth of plants under full dose of NPK through drip irrigation in terms of shoot length (111.43 cm), plant diameter (2.87 cm ), number of leaf per plant (223.50), leaf area (43.19 cm2), fresh weight (2.33 g), and dry weight (62 %), while the minimum shoot length (84.48 cm), plant diameter (1.97 cm), no. of leaves per plant (178.25), leaf area (27.43 cm), fresh weight (1.10 g), and dry weight of leaves (35 %), were noticed under full dose of NPK applied through soil. The full dose of NPK through fertigation also resulted in maximum leaf N (2.565 %), P (0.282 %) and K (1.685 %), and gave maximum chlorophyll 'a' (0.51 mg/g tissue), 'b' (0.40 mg/ g tissue) and total chlorophyll (0.92 mg/g tissue), while minimum leaf NPK and chlorophyll content was found under full dose of NPK applied through soil. On the basis of overall effect of fertigation on vegetative growth, leaf nutrient and soil nutrient status of apple plants, the application of full dose of NPK through fertigation was most effective in improving the plant growth as well as leaf and soil nutrient status.

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