Optimizing fruit yield and quality in mango cv. Langra through integrated nutrient management techniques

Abstract

The reckless use of chemical fertilizers has led to increase in yield of mango, but at the same time negative effect has been found on soil, water, fruit quality and human health as well. Considering above fact, the experiment was carried out on integrated nutrient management for three consecutive seasons- monsoon (2020), winter (2020) and monsoon (2021) during the year 2020 and 2021. Eight treatments were taken, i.e., T1- [1000:500:500 g of NPK/tree/year (control / recommended dose fertilizer {RDF})],T2- [T1 + Organic mulching 10 cm thick], T3- [½ RDF + 50 Kg FYM + 250 g Trichoderma], T4-[ ½ RDF + 50 Kg FYM + 250 g Azospirillum], T5- [ ½ RDF + 50 kg FYM + 250 g Azotobacter], T6-[ ½ RDF + 50 Kg FYM + 5 kg Vermicompost], T7- [½ RDF + 50 Kg FYM + 250 g Pseudomonas fluorescens] and T8-[½ RDF + 50 Kg FYM + 250 g Trichoderma + 250 g Pseudomonas fluorescens]. T4 performed better in respect of the maximum number of fruits/ tree (590) and yields (174.91 kg/ tree). The maximum peel (15.18%) and pulp (76.79%) was recorded under T1, while minimum stone (11.64%) and maximum pulp to stone ratio of 6.62 was observed under T2. The fruit quality such as maximum TSS of 21.02°Brix, TSS/acid ratio of 87.69, total sugars of 11.82%, total carotenoids of 1.64 mg/100 g, ascorbic acid of 78.45 mg/100 g and minimum acidity of 0.24% was also found in treatment T4. Therefore, the application of half dose of RDF with 50 Kg FYM and 250 g Azospirillum played an indispensable role in increasing the yield and quality of mango cv. Langra.