Effect of drip irrigation regimes mulching and micronutrients on growth and yield attributes in litchi cv rose scented

Abstract

The present study was performed at Horticulture Research Centre, Patharchatta of G. B. Pant newlineUniversity of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand for two consecutive years (2018-19 newlineand 2019-20) to determine effect of drip irrigation regimes, mulching and micronutrients on growth newlineand yield attributes in litchi cv. Rose Scented . The treatments consisted of five levels of irrigation (25, newline50, 75, 100 and 125 % ETc) and with/without black plastic mulch type along with foliar application of newlineborax/copper sulphate and the control was given surface irrigation. Obtained results were analyzed in newlinethree factorial randomized block design with three replications. newlineVegetative growth parameters except tree height were significantly affected during the newlineexperimentation. Stem girth was found significantly maximum under treatment combination M0DI3Cu newline(drip irrigation at 75% estimated water requirement with foliar spray of copper sulphate at 2g/litre newlinewithout mulch) and M0DI4Cu (without mulch with drip irrigation at 100% of estimated water newlinerequirement + copper sulphate at 2 g/litre) exhibited maximum plant spread. Highest canopy volume newlinewas recorded under MDI5Cu. In case of soil and leaf attributes, MDI4B (mulch with drip irrigation at newline100 per cent estimated water requirement and foliar spray of borax at 2 g/litre) was reported to be newlinesuperior soil and leaf N and P while soil K was recorded to be non-significant. Whereas, highest leaf K newlineand chlorophyll content was recorded under treatment combination MDI3B. The treatment combination newlineMDI4Cu witnessed highest calcium content and zinc content was noted under treatment M0DI3Cu in newlineleaf of litchi. newlineFlowering attributes were significantly affected and mostly maximum values for these newlineattributes was noted in MDI3B (mulch with drip irrigation at 75 per cent estimated water requirement newlineand foliar spray of borax at 2 g/litre). Yield attributes such as fruit number at harvest and fruit yield per newlineplant observed maximum with 75% ER irrigation coupled with mulch and borax application, while, newlineminimum were obtained with control and 25% ER irrigation coupled with Mulch and Borax newlineapplication. Minimum fruit drop and fruit cracking were noted in MDI3B. Whereas, highest fruit drop newlineand fruit cracking was observed under M0DI1B and control respectively. newlineFruit quality parameters such as total soluble solids and ascorbic noted highest under treatment newlineMDI3Cu. The lowest titratable acidity, maximum T.S.S/acidity ratio and sugar-acid ratio was reported newlineunder MDI3B. Maximum total sugars and reducing sugar content was found under treatment MDI4Cu. newlineBesides, maximum non reducing sugar and anthocyanin content was found under M0DI4Cu and newlineMDI4B, respectively. newlineWater use efficiency was found best with 25% ER with plastic mulching and copper sulphate newlinespray. However, minimum was noted with 125% ER with plastic mulching and Borax spray. Water newlineproductivity was noted maximum under 125% ER irrigation coupled with Borax application but newlinewithout mulch and minimum (48.57) was recorded under 25% ER with plastic mulching and copper newlinesulphate. From economics points of view, maximum B:C ratio of 1:4.00 were recorded under MDI3Cu newlineand minimum of 1:0.54 notice under M0DI1B. newlineThus, it is concluded that, 75 per cent replenishment of pan evaporation through drip irrigation newlinecoupled with black polythene mulch in association with foliar application of Borax/Copper sulphate newlinecan be employed for getting higher yield, quality and economics can be adopted for commercial newlinecultivation for enhanced vegetative growth, quality and yield of litchi cv. Rose Scented under tarai newlineconditions of Uttarakhand. newline