Department of Fruits and Orchard Management, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur 741 252, Nadia.
*Corresponding author's. E-mail: sisirm@vsnl.net.in
Plant receiving 400 g P2O5, 700 g K2O and 140 g S/plant/year caused earliest flower opening from panicle initiation while it delayed by about 4 days with recommended fertilizer doses in West Bengal. The duration of flowering and hermaphrodite flower production were found maximum in plants receiving 200 g P2O5, 700 g K2O, 140 g S and 7 g B/plant/year. Increasing the phosphorus level to 600 g along with 700 g K2O, 140 g S and 7 g B/plant/year showed the maximum flower sex ratio. The number of fruits increased with the increase in the level of potassium from 0 to 700 g/plant/year, but thereafter it decreased with 1050 g K2O/plant/year. Plants receiving 400 g P2O5, 700 g K2O and 7 g B/plant/year showed the maximum yield. The fruit yield showed a positive correlation (r = 0.5116) with first season vegetative flush appears between June and September. The aril weight of fruit was also highest with the same treatment while the maximum seed weight of 4.13 g fruit−1 was noted in the fruits from the plants fertilized with 400 g PO5, 350 g K2O, 140 g S and 7 g B/plant/year. The total soluble solids and reducing sugar contents of fruit were noted maximum by application of 600 g P2O5, 350 g K2O, 140 g S and 7 g B/plant/year while TSS/acid ratio and ascorbic acid content were noted highest in fruits from the plants receiving 400 g P2O5, 1050 g K2O, 140 g S and 7 g B/plant/year.
Phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, boron, litchi, yield, quality
