Journal of Horticultural Sciences

Ravindra Kumar ¹, S. Ganesh ², R. Chithiraichelvan ¹, K. K. Upreti ³, V. V. Sulladmath ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru-560 089, IN
2 Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University), Gandhigram, Dindigul-624302, Tamil Nadu, IN
3 Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, ICAR - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru-560089, IN

Abstract

The effects of tree spacing (5x2m, 5x2.5m, 5x3m, 5x3.5m and 5x4m) and pruning (8 buds/cane, 6 buds/cane and 4 buds/cane) on vegetative growth, physiological parameters, fruit yield and quality were studied in fig (Ficus carica L.) cv. Deanna in the 3^rd and 4^th year of its growth during the period 2010-12. It was observed that with increase in tree spacing, growth parameters like leaf number, shoot length, internode length, tree-spread, tree height and tree circumference, along with fruit yield both in terms of fruit number and fruit weight per tree, declined gradually under different pruning levels. Increase in pruning level from 8 buds/cane to 4 buds/cane resulted in increased leaf number, shoot length and internode length. Yield characters, viz., fruit number/tree, fruit weight/tree, fruit number/hectare and fruit weight/hectare were marginally influenced by pruning. However, interaction effects of pruning and spacing were found to be non-significant. Consistently declining trends in photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance, along with increase in leaf water potential value were observed with increase in spacing. Effects of spacing were more conspicuous than those of pruning. Best results for maintenance of vigour and fruit yield were observed under a spacing of 5x2m or 5x2.5m, and 4 buds/cane pruning. Although there was reduction in average fruit size under closer spacing when compared to wide spacing, fruit quality attributes like TSS and acidity were not affected by various treatments. Effects of closer spacing on growth and yield parameters were more pronounced in the 3^rd year as compared to the 4^th year, showing better response to treatments in young trees. Fruit yield calculated on per hectare basis showed highest fruit number of 116500-133750 and 274500-299500, and fruit weight of 54.5-62.0 and 158.77- 173.30 quintals/ha, respectively, during the 3^rd and 4^th year of planting under closer spacing of 5x2m and 4 buds/cane pruning.

Keywords

Ficus carica, Fig Deanna, Growth, Pruning, Fruit Quality, Spacing, Yield.

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M. Senthilkumar ¹, S. Ganesh ¹, K. Srinivas ², P. Panneerselvam ²

Affiliations
1 Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram - 624302, IN
2 Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore 560089, IN

Abstract

Studies were carried out at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, to test the effect of fertigation with a consortium of biofertilizers for sustainable production in banana cv. Robusta (AAA). The combination of fertigation and consortium of biofertilizers significantly influenced yield and yield-attributing characters in both primary and ratoon crops. Fertigation with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers along with the consortium of biofertilizers recorded significantly higher yield compared to soil application of fertilizer, farm yard manure and consortium of biofertilizers. However, yield difference between 100% and 75% recommended dose of fertilizers was not significant. Likewise, yield difference between 75% and 50% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) too did not differ significantly, although yields declined at 50% RDF. Other growth characters such as number of leaves and plant girth were also significantly influenced by the combined application of fertigation and the consortium of biofertilizers in both main and the crops. However, plant height, number of hands per bunch and TSS were not affected by these treatments. Pulp-to-peel ratio significantly differed in both the main plant and ratoon crops, but days to maturity differed significantly in the ratoon crop. Main plant crop yields were higher compared to that in ratoon. N and K accumulation was significantly higher at 100% fertigation with 300g of the consortium of biofertilizers in both the seasons. However, accumulation of phosphorous was higher at 100% fertigation with 300g of the consortium of biofertilizers (CBF) in the plant crop whereas, in the ratoon crop, highest accumulation of P in the stem was observed at 100% RDF+100g CBF, and, in the leaf and fruit, at 100% RDF with 300g and 200g of CBF, respectively.

Keywords

Banana, Drip Irrigation, Fertigation, PGPR, Biofertilizers, VAM.

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