Studies on foliar application of chemicals on yields and quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) CV. Keshar.

The investigation was conducted on well-established five years old mango cv. Keshar orchard. The trees were planted at 5×5 m spacing having uniform growth and productivity at Manjara KVK, Latur, during Summer 2015. Significant variations in yield and quality attributes of mango due to foliar application of different chemicals was recorded. The yield parameters viz., number of fruits per tree, weight of the fruit, yield per tree (kg) and yield per hectare were positively influenced due to the application of different treatments. As regards to yield parameters, the foliar application of urea @ 1.5% produced significantly heaviest fruit (201.97g). Maximum number of fruits per tree (149.25), yield per tree (30.14 kg), yield per hectare (12.05 t) was recorded due to the treatment with urea @ 1.5 percent. Significant variations were observed in the physical attributes of Mango fruits with respect of length and breadth of fruit, weight of pulp, weight of peel, volume of fruit, weight of stone, number of days required for maturity of fruit, and fruit: pulp ratio. The maximum length of fruit (9.27cm) breath of fruit (7.81 cm), weight of pulp (114.67g) and volume of fruit (210 ml) were recorded with foliar application of urea @ 1.5%.whereas minimum weight of stone (29.17g), minimum days required for maturity (96.95) and weight of peel (29.17g) was noticed with foliar application of Urea @ 1.5%. Highest fruit: pulp ratio (1.77.) was noticed in the treatment with Sulphate of Potash @ 1%. The treatments of foliar application with different chemicals showed positive response on biochemical quality attributes of mango fruits. Maximum value of TSS (18.82%), non reducing sugars (9.96%), reducing sugars (6.69%) and total sugar (16.65%) were observed due to the foliar application of Urea @ 1.5%. Minimum value of acidity (0.28%) was recorded due to the treatment with Urea @ 1.5%.