Abstract
A field experiment was carried out at the Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab during the year. The response of peach nursery plants to different doses of nitrogen and plant densities was studied. Three levels of nitrogen, 0, 57 and 114 kg/hectare were used along with four different planting densities i.e. 536, 804, 1005 and 1072 seedlings per plot. It was found that seedling height (cm), diameter (mm), bud take success (%), scion length (cm) and root volume (cm3) were significantly affected by different levels of nitrogen and planting densities, whereas time taken to reach buddable size was not affected in any treatment. Maximum seedling height, diameter, bud take success, scion length and root volume were 94.34 cm, 7.17 mm, 82.43%, 181.25cm and 667cm3 respectively for the maximum nitrogen dose of 114 kg ha-1. For different plant densities, the maximum seedling height, diameter, bud take success, scion length and root volume were 94.12 cm, 7.16 mm, 79.85%, 178.34 cm, and 672 cm3 respectively, for plots having 506 plants. Though, statistically the seedling height (98.51 cm), seedling diameter (8.17 mm), scion length (187.25 cm) and root volume (783 cm3) were highest for interaction, in plots with 114 kg nitrogen ha-1 and 536 seedlings. But the seedling height (95.24 cm), seedling diameter (7.12 mm), scion length (182.71 cm) and root volume (746 cm3) in the plots receiving the similar nitrogen dose having plant density of 804 were found to be comparably more economical. Thus, from our findings we recommend a plant density of 85760 and a nitrogen dose of 114 kg per hectare. Keywords: Peach (Prunus persica L.); Nitrogen; Seedling height; Seedling diameter; Root volume http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.60056
Highlights
The analysis of variance revealed that the nitrogen doses (N) and plant density (T) as well as their interaction had highly significant effects on the seedling height
The interaction effect was highly significant as the data revealed that the maximum height (98.51 cm) was observed in plots receiving 114 kg nitrogen ha-1 with 536 plant density (8 rows plot-1) followed by 96.10 cm height in plots receiving 57 kg nitrogen ha-1 having 536 plants density
The increase in plant density on the other hand reduce the volume of soil available for roots to grow, as we reduce row-row spacing the competition renders the root zone compacted and depleted limiting plant growth roots growth
Summary
It is evident from the family Rosaceae and is a main stone fruit of literature that the Romans cultivated peach the temperate zone. The agro-climatic conditions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are best suited for the cultivation of peach and are grown on more than 5700 hectares producing 53100 tons of fruit in the province. Peach is the second most important and popular stone fruit (after plum) in Pakistan It is grown on 15400 ha area with production over 71200 tonnes. Peaches grow best and produce maximum fruits on a deep, reasonably fertile, well drained sandy loam soil [3]. In different soils the various nitrogen sources produce different results This experiment was designed to evaluate the response of local peach seedlings to nitrogen levels and planting densities [3]. This study will enable us to: 1. Increase the production of nursery plant per unit area
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