Integrated nutrient management in improving fruit quality of mango 'Himsagar'

The experiment was conducted at the Central Research Farm of Regional Research Station, New Alluvial Zone, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayeshpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India during the years 2006-2008 to study the effect of organic and inorganic nutrients, biofertilizers and growth retardant on quality of mango ‘Himsagar’. The observation on variables viz. length of fruits, width of fruits, weight of fruits, pulp weight, pulp content, peel thickness, pulp/stone ratio total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, total sugar, vitamin-C and β-carotene content were recorded against four different organic manure treatments (green manure, farm yard manure, vermicompost and control) and seven treatments of different inorganic nutrients, biofertilizers and growth retardant (paclobutrazol). Two Factor Randomized Block Design with split plot technique was followed. Duncan's test at 5% level of significance was also followed to compare main effect means if significant for all above mentioned values. Considering all mean results, vermicompost application in combination with 850 g N + 425 g P2O5 + 1000 g K2O + 250 g Azospirillum +250 g phosphate-solubilizing bacteria + 100 g zinc sulfate + 100 g borax/tree/year appreciably increased fruit weight (273.20 g), fruit length (9.53 cm) pulp weight (180.20), pulp content (65.96%). Peel thickness was lowest with the application of 800 g N + 400 g P2O5 + 800 g K2O/tree/year in combination with green manure (0.21 cm). Pulp/stone ratio was highest (3.66) with the application of 1000 g N + 500 g P2O5 + 1000 g K2O/tree/year without any organic manures. Application of 850 g N + 425 g P2O5 + 1000 g K2O + 250 g Azospirillum +250 g phosphate-solubilizing bacteria + 100 g zinc sulfate + 100 g borax/tree/year (T7) in combination with vermicompost gave highest total soluble solids (21.57°Brix), total sugar (11.32%) and vitamin C (25.68 mg/100 g) content and lowest acid content of fruit. However, β-carotene content (40.10 mg/1000 g) of fruit was highest with the application of 1200 g N + 600 g P2O5 + 1200 g K2O/tree/year (T3) in combination with vermicompost.