Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on tree growth and quantitative traits of Kinnow (Citrus nobilis Lour × Citrus deliciosa Tenor)

Abstract

The continuous application of huge amount of chemical fertilizers degrades the quality, health and productivity of the soil. In future production scenario, use of chemical fertilizers in combination with organic sources of nutrients may play an important role in improving soil health and also helps to sustain optimum production of good quality and quantity of Kinnow. Based on this, the present investigation was carried out during 201518 at Department of Horticulture, Khalsa College, Amritsar (Punjab), to study the impact of various organic and inorganic fertilizers on vegetative growth, fruit physical parameters and yield traits of Kinnow. Treatments were laid out in randomized block design with various combinations of Azotobacter, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza, Trichoderma, Farmyard manure, Azospirillum, vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers based on recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). It was observed that maximum vegetative growth of annual shoot extension (39.70 cm), trunk girth (6.42 cm), leaf area (30.17 cm2) and tree spread (N-S -13.83% and E-W-15.43%); physical characters like fruit/plant (619.32); yield (102.98 kg/plant), fruit length (6.86 cm), fruit breadth (7.81 cm), fruit weight (233.06 gm), fruit volume (220.55 cc) and juice content (56.36%) were recorded with combination of RDF + VC + PSB + VAM followed by RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + VAM while lower performance was observed in treatment with RDF (100%) alone. Based on this, it was concluded that both organic and inorganic fertilizers improved the physicochemical properties of soils which ultimately helps to improve the vegetative and quantitative traits of fruit plants due to increase in uptake of various nutrients and photosynthates in plant.