Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on fruit yield and quality of plum (Prunus salicina L.)

A study was conducted during 2009 and 2010 to assess the effect of nitrogen fertilizers on fruit size, weight and quality characteristics of plum (Prunus salicina L.) cv. ‘Santa Rosa ’raised on wild apricot seedling rootstock at 6 m x 6 m spacing in experimental orchard of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan (Himachal Pradesh). Fruit size and weight increased due to application of calcium nitrate (500 g N tree⁻¹), and urea + lime 50% (500 g N tree⁻¹). Fruit quality, viz. total sugar, reducing sugar, anthocyanin pigment and fruit firmness also improved with these treatments. It was concluded that calcium nitrate as well as urea + lime 50% can be used in plum orchard for higher production.