Effect of nitrogen on shoot growth, flowering, fruiting and fruit quality in pear cv. Bagugosha

An experiment was carried out in 10-year-old Bagugosha pear trees with eight levels of N (20–100 g N/tree/year) and fixed doses of P₂O₅ and K₂O. The lateral and terminal shoot growth increased significantly beyond 50 g N/tree/year. The highest number of floral spurs and flowers per metre branch was observed in the trees receiving 60 g N/tree/year. The total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and total sugars did not show significant response with increasing N levels but these treatments were effective in reducing acidity and enhancing sugar: acid ratio, particularly at 60 g N/tree/year and above. The results showed that 60 g N/tree/year was optimum to enhance shoot growth, spurring, flowering, fruiting and fruit quality in Bagugosha pear under Tarai conditions of Uttaranchal.