Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers supplemented with biofertilizers (Azotobacter and Microphos) on growth parameters of apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Oregon Spur) for three years (2012 to 2014) in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The pooled data of three years revealed that, maximum fruit number (127/plant), fruit weight (113 g), yield/plant (14.5 kg), yield/ha (23.2 tonnes) and production efficiency (117g/cm2 TCSA) were recorded in treatment received 75% of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 25% N through FYM + Microphos while minimum was recorded in control. The percentage increase in trunk cross section area during the three years of experiment was maximum 17.5% and 16.8% with application of 75% of RDF + 25% N through FYM + Microphos and Azotobacter, respectively, while minimum (8.0%) in control. Among the INM, treatment comprising 75% of RDF + FYM and biofertilizers (either Azotobacter or Microphos) was found significantly superior over rest of the treatments in-terms of improving soil health parameter, viz. dehydrogenase activity, organic carbon, available NPK and DTPA-Zn. Overall, study reveals that, through application of 75% of RDF + FYM and biofertilizers double the productivity of apple, which can gain the momentum of apple production in Kashmir valley of India with quality produce and maximize economic benefits to farmers.
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