Effect of Plant Spacing and Growth Regulator on Quality and Quantity of Mosambi Fruit Under Drip Irrigation

Abstract

A field experiment was managed at the Water Management Research Farm, Renala Khurd, Pakistan to check the effect of the plant to plant spacing (3×3, 5×5, 7×7) and growth regulator (Isabion) on the quantity and quality of citrus fruit (Mosambi) under drip irrigation. The trail was arranged into a split-plot outline with six treatments under three blocks. Two foliar sprays were carried out at 40 days gap in September and November 2020. After 4 to 5 days of second foliar spray, data were collected. The results revealed that plant growth regulator isabion was more effective in improving plant traits like no. of fruits and leaf area in mosambi and plant to plant spacing only improved one plant trait, plant height. However, fruit weight was not affected by both plant to plant spacing and growth regulator treatments compared to control. The fruit quality analysis results showed that carbohydrate, vitamin, moisture and fat contents of mosambi fruits were increased by both plant to plant spacing and growth regulator treatments, while the increase in protein content was not found. In our study, plant growth regulator appeared to be more effective for improving plant traits while fruit traits were equally affected by both plant-plant spacing and growth regulator. In the future, both plant to plant spacing and growth regulator should be considered to improve citrus plant growth and fruit yield.