Nutrient Saving and Yield Enhancement through Fertigation in Apple-Growing Cold Humid Regions of North-west Himalayas

In order to identify suitable fertigation techniques to get higher return from fertilizer application in applegrowing cold humid regions of north-west Himalayas, an experiment with different fertigation treatments was conducted at ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture Farm, Srinagar. As regards yieldfertilizer ratio (YFR), the results suggested superiority of three fertigation treatments viz. 50% recommended fertilizer (RF) in one split, 50% RF in two splits and 75% RF in two splits over other treatments with value of YFR being 16.0, 15.7 and 14.3, respectively. Apple leaves and fruits exhibited highest macronutrient content with the application of 100% RF dosage in two splits. Results revealed that 25% of the RF could be saved along with increase in apple fruit yield on applying 75% of the RF in two splits through fertigation. The maximum apple yield, nutrient accumulation efficiency, macronutrient concentration in leaf and fruits was also observed in the aforesaid treatment.