Influence of soil moisture on growth and nutrient content in healthy and malformed panicles of mango varieties

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil moisture on growth, nutrient status of healthy and malformed panicles of mango varieties. A total of 24 treatment combinations of irrigation and variety were tested in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The results of study revealed that an increase in soil moisture content delayed the bud initiation and panicle emergence. The minimum intensity (2.7 m2) and severity (24.7%) of malformation was recorded under restricted soil moisture conditions. The higher moisture content in soil increased the intensity (4.5 m2) and severity (42.7%) of malformation. The higher soil moisture level enlarged the panicles in terms of length (29.5 and 8.6 cm), fresh (37.3 and 70.6 g) and dry weight (21.4 and 28.2 g) of healthy and malformed types, respectively. Higher soil moisture enhanced the foliar contents of N, P, K and Zn in the leaves of healthy panicles and bearing shoots and higher contents of Fe, Mn and Cu in leaves of malformed panicles. Among the varieties minimum malformation intensity (2.9m-2) and severity (25.7%) of was recorded in Langra followed by Amrapali and Sunderja under Jabalpur conditions.