STANDARDIZATION OF DOSES OF PHOSPHORUS AND POTASIUM ON GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY OF YOUNG KINNOW (CITRUS RETICULATE BLANCO)

Abstract

Plants require a balanced nutrition program formulated to provide specific needs for maintenance and for expected production performance. Hence this experiment was conducted to evaluate the optimum level of phosphorus and potassium for growth and productivity of young Kinnow (Citrus reticulata Blanco) plants. The experiment was designed under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprised with seven treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments included, T₁= 200 g P₂O₅ + 200 g K₂O, T₂= 150 g P₂O₅ + 200 g K₂O, T₃= 250 g P₂O₅ + 200 g K₂O, T₄= 300 g P₂O₅ + 200 g K₂O, T₅= 250 g P₂O₅ + 150 g K₂O, T₆= 200 g P₂O₅ + 250 g K₂O and T₇= 200 g P₂O₅ + 300 g K₂O. Maximum plant height (3.12 m) and Juice (43.48%) was observed in T₅= 250 g P₂O₅ + 150 g K₂O. The highest number of flush (33.08), number of leaves (101.25 m²), length of flush (13.75 cm), Seed weight (1.33 g), Aborted seeds/fruit (8), mature seed fruit (5.48) were noted in T₇. Leaf area index and peel thickness were significantly increased in T₆= (200 g P₂O₅ + 250 g K₂O) with values 1.91 cm³ and 4.30 mm respectively. So, it is concluded that T₅= 250 g P₂O₅ + 150 g K₂O and T₇= 200 g P₂O₅ + 300 g K₂O is the best treatments for the growth and better yield of young Kinnow plants.