Influence of combined use of organic, inorganic and biological sources of nutrients on fruit quality in lemon

The use of high analysis chemical fertilizers results in the deficiency of nutrients other than the applied. Chemical fertilizers besides being costly are also injurious to plants, ground water and environment. However, in recent years organic sources have emerged as promising components of nutrient supply system. These organic sources when used along with inorganic sources under the concept of integrated nutrient management are known to improve nutrient status of plants either by way of fixation or by making fixed nutrients available to plants. To obtain superior quality of fruit, thus it is a pre-requisite to study the integrated nutrient management in lemon. An experiment was conducted at “Punjab Government Progeny Orchard & Nursery, Attari, Amritsar” during the fruiting years 2005 and 2006 with a view to harvest good quality lemon fruit. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with five treatments replicated four times. Different treatments involved application of FYM, inorganic fertilizer and biofertilizer (Azotobacter) in various combinations. The present experiment shows that the substantial improvement in fruit quality could be achieved with the combined application of these three classes of nutrient sources.

INM is the only solution for nutrient balancing in fruit plants.

INM plays an important role in enhancing fruit quality.

Consortium of nutrient sources proves far better to their sole application.