EFFECT OF N, P, K AND SPACING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF PAPAYA (CARICA PAPAYA L.) CV. PANT PAPAYA 1

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Zonal Research Centre - Nagina during 2000. Three doses of nitrogen i.e. 200, 250 and 300 g and two doses of phosphorus and potash i.e. 200 and 250 g/plant were applied with different combinations. Papaya variety Pant Papaya 1 was sown in the nursery on 20 th July 2000 and the seedlings were planted at three spacings viz. 3×1.5, 2.5×1.5 and 2×1.5 m with two plants per hill on 20 th September 2000. The maximum plant height (144.11 cm) was noted under the N3 P2 K2 (300 g N and 250 g each of P & K/plant) which was followed by N2 P2 K2 (250 g each of N, P & K). Flower initiation at maximum height (84.88 cm) was noted under the treatment of N3 P2 K2 which was followed by N3 PI K2 (81.66 cm) but significantly at par with N2 P2 K2. The maximum days (246.11) taken to flower initiation was N2 P2 K2 treatment which was followed by N3 P2 K2 and N1 P2 K2 treatments but they were statistically at par with each other. The highest average number of fruits (44.66) was recorded in N2 P2 K2 treatment which was followed by N3 P2 K2 and N1 P2 K2 treatments. The maximum average fruit weight 1298.88 g was recorded under N3 P2 K2 treatment which was followed by N2 P2 K2 treatment but it was significantly at par with each other. On the other hand, the minimum average fruit weight (682.22 g) was noted under N1 PI K1 treatment.