Evaluation of boron nutrition in enhancing productivity and quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivar Mallika under subtropical climatic conditions

The present study aimed at in assessing the efficacy of boron supplements (foliar application of B metalosate, boric acid and soil application of borax) on 20 yr old tress of mango cv. Mallika. Changes in foliar boron status indicated that both after the first and second spray, leaf B content was higher in B metalosate treated mango trees as compared to control and soil application of borax + NPK. After first spray, boron status in leaves was found enhanced from 19.6 to 38.3 while from 22 to 32.6 ppm after second spray during 2015-16 fruiting season. Similarly, after first spray boron status in leaves was found enhanced to 21.2 to 36.1 while it was from 19.5 to 39.3 ppm after second spray. Improvement in fruit weight and productivity was recorded in boric acid and B metalosate treated plots as compared to control (NPK) and soil application of B coupled with NPK. A range of 31.46 to 44.77 and 39.42 to 53.57 kg per tree of Mallika fruit yield was recorded in control and different B supplements treated plots during 2015-16 and 2016-17 fruiting seasons, respectively. Quality parameters of mango cv. Mallika were also influenced significantly in response to application of various boron treatments. Thus, the results concluded that B nutrition should be adopted as a practice for improving the productivity and quality in mango Mallika.