Integrated Nutrient Management for higher Productivity in Apple (Malus domestica) under Rainfed Agro-climatic Conditions of District Poonch, J&K

An experiment was conducted at five multiple locations in district Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir to find out the effect of organic and inorganic source of fertilizers on physical and chemical parameters of apple during the years 2017 to 2019. Twelve year old apple trees of uniform size and vigour planted at 6.5 x 6.5 m spacing were selected for the present investigation. Integrated nutrient combinations comprising NPK sources from organic manures (FYM and vermicompost) and inorganic sources were applied. The objective was to supplement NPK requirement by applying sufficient quantity of organic manures, thereby, minimizing the inorganic fertilizer requirement. Highest fruit yield 36.95, 35.45, 37.50 kg/tree, productivity 11.24, 12.64, 13.20 MT/ha, fruit weight 195, 203, 215 g, fruit length 7.10, 7.15, 7.17 cm, fruit diameter 8.20, 8.15 and 8.25 cm were obtained under treatment T₃ : (N_50% + VC_37.5% + FYM_12.5%, P_65% + VC_30% + FYM_5% and K_65% + VC_22.5% + FYM_12.5%), similarly highest TSS content (13.15, 13.20, 13.34°brix) and BC ratio (0.88, 0.96 and 1.08) has also been obtained under same treatment.