Influence of foliar application of nutrients and growth regulator on fruit drop, yield and fruit size and quality in Kinnow mandarin

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out on the 15-year-old Kinnow mandarin trees. Nutrients (KNO3, ZnSO4), growth regulator (2,4-D) and their combinations (KNO3 1% + 2,4-D 10 ppm, KNO3 2% + 2,4-D 10 ppm, KNO3 1% + ZnSO4 0.5%, KNO3 2% + ZnSO4 0.5% and ZnSO4 0.5% + 2,4-D 10 ppm) were applied as foliar spray in first week of May and August. Fruit drop was lowest (53.5%) with ZnSO4 0.5% + 2,4-D 10 ppm. Fruit length and breadth (6.05 and 6.98 cm), fruit weight (168.6 g), fruit yield per tree (43.7 kg), TSS (10.6%) and ascorbic acid (25.81 mg/ 100 ml juice) were recorded highest with KNO3 2%, KNO3 2% + 2,4-D 10 ppm and KNO3 2% + ZnSO4 0.5%, respectively. Highest juice content (49.72%) was recorded with 0.5% ZnSO4