Influence of foliar feeding of KNO₃ on fruit yield and quality parameters of mango

Foliar feeding with potassium (K) nutrient was carried out for two successive years to study the impact on fruit yield related parameters and quality attributes of ‘Amrapali’ mango. Plants were sprayed with KNO3 (2, 3, 4%) as single, double and triple sprays during 10, 20 and 30 days after fruit set (DAFS) and the control trees were applied with water spray. Improvement in percentage of fruit retention was registered with double sprays of KNO3 3% followed by triple applications of KNO₃ 2% and single spray of KNO3 4%. Higher pulp/stone ratio and fruit yield was attained significantly in the plants treated with K feedings in comparison to the control. TSS, reducing and non-reducing sugars content also exhibited similar trends. Leaf N and K concentrations were observed maximum in all the plants treated with K nutrient. It is envisioned that foliar feeding with double sprays (KNO3 3%) on 10 and 20 DAFS directly to metabolite sites considerably enhanced fruit yield and quality attributes under sub-mountainous zone of North India.