Response of ZnSO4 through foliar nutrition on nutrient status, yield performance and fruit quality of guava cv. Shewta

Abstract

Economic feasibility of small and marginal farmers involved in Shewta guava production was sustained following enhancement of yield through nutritional approach in ICAR networking project on “Micronutrient management in horticultural crops for enhancing yield and quality”. Improvement in sustainable yield index from 0.32 to 0.40, 0.43, 0.69, 0.060, 0.48 and even 0.44 was recorded in guava ecosystem of subtropical region. Improvement of sustainability was 23.8 to 114.5 per cent in different foliar feeding approaches. Highest TSS of 13.27±0.21 followed by 12.93±0.15, 12.90±0.10 and 12.93±0.64 followed by 12.87±0.31, 12.80±0.20°Brix was recorded, respectively. Statistically, significant ascorbic acid contents of 265.52±5.51 followed by 263.96±20.3, 259.85±10.02 and 269.42±0.01 followed by 263.96± 2.34, 257.73±5.86 mg 100 g-1 were recorded. Maximum acidity of 0.661±0.002 and 0.629±0.01 per cent was also noted. Maximum percentages of improvement in Zn and B content of guava fruit pulp was recorded as 24.5 to 35.0 and 40.8 to 35.8, respectively. Highest Zn content of 17.47±0.64 followed by 16.97±0.67 and 18.00±1.0 followed by 16.33±2.1 mg kg-1 was recorded. Maximum B, Cu, Fe and Mn concentration of 15.63±1.1 & 15.43±1.8, 7.33±0.46 & 7.33±1.5, 122.0±2.1 & 121.33±5.0 and finally 9.40±0.62 & 8.33±1.5 mg kg-1, respectively, was recorded. Foliar and soil content of nutrients were analyzed to see the changes in nutrient content. The present study advocates the possibility of improving the sustainability in Shewta guava orchard grown in subtropical region.