Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
The present experiment was conducted to compare soil and foliar application of zinc at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on 4-year-old Kinnow trees during 1972–73. The soil of the orchard was sandy loam with a pH of 7.7. There were four zinc placement treatments viz. spray, broadcasting, band placement, hole placement and the control. For soil applications, 1 kg of zinc sulphate per tree was applied. For spray, 0.4 per cent zinc sulphate solution neutralized with lime was used. Each treatment was replicated five times. The spray and broadcasting application of zinc sulphate significantly increased the level of zinc in leaves during August, September and May and June. There was no significant effect of zinc application by different methods on the foliar status of N, P, K, Fe and Mn. There was a significant increase in yield in the spray and broadcasting methods as compared with the other placement treatments. The weight and diameter of the fruit increased significantly by spray application of zinc. Broadcasting application also gave significant increase in weight of the fruit. The length, peel thickness, rag and peel percentage of fruit was not affected significantly by any zinc treatment. The acidity, T. S. S., T. S. S./acid ratio and vitamin C content of the fruit were not affected significantly by any zinc treatment.
