Hidayatullah ¹, Ahmed Khan ², Mouladad ³, Mirwise ⁴, Syed Azmatullah Shah ³, Zainullah ⁵

Affiliations
1 Directorate of Agriculture Research Soil and Water Testing ARI Sariab Quetta
2 Balochistan Agriculture College Quetta, PK
3 Directorate of Agriculture Research, Lorala
4 Directorate of Agriculture Research Post Harvest and Food Technology ARI Sariab Quetta
5 Directorate of Agriculture Research Viticulture Pishin, PK

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Nutrient management plays a key role in growth and yield of grapes. Among the macronutrients, nitrogen is very important because its deficiency and sufficiency both affect yield and quality. Since, this study was aimed to evaluate nitrogen rates and time on yield and nutrient accumulation of grapevines. Methods: The experiment was designed in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement consisted of N rates as factor (A) i.e. 0.0, 50, 80 and 110 kg N ha^-1 and time of N application as factor (B) i.e. bud break, at flowering and fruit set. Findings: The results showed higher bunch weight on 80 kg N ha^-1 applied one week before flowering which was 232.66 g for small, 456.77 g for medium and 795.67 g for large bunch along with greater fruit yield of 41.32 t ha^-1. However, the increasing N rate (110 kg N ha^-1) reduced yield by 15.5% over 80 kg N ha^-1 applied at bud break. In case of petiole nutrient concentration, higher N concentration (1.95%) was noted at 110 kg N ha^-1 but maximum P (0.45%) and K concentration (2.70%) were found at 80 kg N ha^-1. The established correlation study indicated that yield was positively and significantly correlated with petiole N (r = 0.87), P (r = 0.92) and K concentration (r = 0.83) indicating yield dependence on nutrient supply. Applications/Improvements: From this study, it is suggested that 80 kg N ha^-1 must be applied one week before flowering but this rate and time might be varied for other soil type.

Keywords

Grapes, Nitrogen, Petiole Nutrient Conc., Rate, Time of Applicate, Yield

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Hidayatullah ¹, Ahmed Khan ², Mouladad ³, Mirwise ⁴, Nisar Ahmed ⁵, Syed Azmatullah Shah ³

Affiliations
1 Directorate of Agriculture Research Soil and Water Testing ARI Sariab, Quetta
2 Balochistan Agriculture College, Quetta, PK
3 Directorate of Agriculture Research, Loaralai
4 Directorate of Agriculture Research Post Harvest and Food Technology ARI Sariab, Quetta
5 Directorate of Agriculture Research Post Harvest and Food Technology ARI Sariab, Quetta, QA

Abstract

Background/objectives: The availability of nutrients to plants is one of the main constraints under calcareous soil. This study aimed to investigate the influence of humic acid on nutrients availability and fruit yield of apple trees.  at district Ziarat using red delicious apple variety of same age. Methods:  Six rates of humic acid were tested in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. These rates were included as T1 = Control (0.0 g Humic acid), T2 = 50 g potassium humate tree^-1, T3 = 75 g potassium humate tree^-1, T4 = 100 g potassium humate tree^-1, T5 =125 g potassium humate tree^-1 and T6 = 150 g potassium humate tree^-1. Findings: The results showed that the apple trees received 125 and 150 g potassium humate tree^-1 recorded statistically at par but higher fruit set (71.68 and 74.66%) and fruit yield (262.15 and 264.46 kg tree^-1) and higher fruit retention (91.63%) with minimum fruit drop (8.37%) at 150 g potassium humate tree^-1. However, control treatment resulted in greater fruit drop (72.43%) and minimum fruit set (21.10%). Similarly, the application of 125 and 150 g potassium humate tree^-1 manifested higher leaf macro and micro nutrients concentration. There was positive and significant correlation between apple fruit yield and leaf nutrient concentration which evidenced the beneficial and stimulatory effect of humic acid on nutrient availability and yield. Applications/improvements: From this study it is suggested that different sources of humic acid need to be tested on apple so that the best source of humic acid can be found for quality fruit production of apple.   

Keywords

Apple Trees, Calcareous Soil, Fruit, Yield, Humic Acid, Leaf Nutrient Concentration

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