The Role of Nanozeolite and Biocapsule in Improving Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Low Chilling Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) Cv. HRMN-99 in Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Condition

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at the Research farm of Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj, on 30-month-old plant during January 2021 to July 2021 with the objective to find out suitable treatment of Biocapsule and Nanozeolite with combination of NPK in relation to plant growth, yield and quality of apple. The statistical design adopted for the experiment was randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and nine treatment combinations. viz, T1 (NPK (RDF)), T2 (Biocapsule 500 ppm), T3 (Nanozeolite 250 ppm), T4 (Nanozeolite 250 ppm + Biocapsule 500 ppm), T5 (Nanozeolite 250 ppm + Biocapsule 250 ppm), T6 (NPK (RDF) + Biocapsule 500 ppm), T7 (NPK (RDF) + Nanozeolite 250 ppm), T8 (NPK (RDF) + Nanozeolite 250 ppm + Biocapsule 500 ppm), T9 (NPK (RDF) + Nanozeolite 250 ppm + Biocapsule 250 ppm). The treatments were applied by soil drenching at initiation of experiment, pre-flowering stage and the last one at the fruit setting stage to assess the effect on growth, yield and quality of apple. The results of present investigation revealed that, the treatment T8 (NPK (RDF) + Nanozeolite 250 ppm + Biocapsule 500 ppm) outstand in all the aspects like Maximum plant height (2.8 m), Maximum number of Primary and Secondary branches (3), (28) respectively, maximum number of flower (319), maximum no. of fruit (63.6), maximum yield Plant-1(7.2 kg) and quality parameters like Maximum TSS (11.56 ºBrix) and Maximum acidity (0.71 %) followed by T9 (NPK (RDF) + Nanozeolite 250 ppm + Biocapsule 250 ppm). The lowest observation was recorded in T3 (Nanozeolite 250 ppm). Biocapsules and nano zeolite with combination of NPK played an important role in fixing the nutrients in soil and protecting the apple plant against pathogen effect. That’s why a positive response has to be seen in particular treatment during the research trail.