Department of Soil Science & Water Management, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni (Solan) - 173 230, Himachal Pradesh
1Department of Soil Science & Water Management, University of Horticulture and forestry, Nauni, Solan-173 230 (HP). Email: raina_jn@rediffmail.com
Online published on 9 January, 2012.
The present investigation was carried out at Progeny-cum-Demonstration Orchard, Charna, Distt. Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh for two years to evaluate the effect of conjoint application of chemical fertilizers(CF) and organic manures(OM) on soil nutrient status, tree growth, yield and quality of apple fruits. Treatments comprised different levels of CF, FYM, enriched manure (EM) and vermicompost (VC). Conjoint applications did not influence the soil pH, EC and bulk density but improved the soil organic carbon, N, P, K, Zn and Fe status of soils. Higher doses CF [100 and 75% of recommended dose (RD)] in conjunction with different levels of OM gave markedly higher fruit yield and better growth parameters as compared to sole application of 100% RD of CF. Application of 100% RD + 3.5 kg EM or 75% RD + 5 kg EM or 75% RD + 10 kg VC per tree increased the fruit yield considerably over sole application of 100% RD of CF. Thus higher yield of apple with appreciable tree vigour and fruit quality can be obtained from balanced nutrition of plants.
Organic manures, FYM, Vermicompost, chemical fertilizers, Apple yield and quality
