Vol. 7, Issue 4 (2018)

Author(s):
Baseerat Binti Nabi, MA Dar, Qurat ul Ain and Rehana Jan

Abstract:
To study the effect of nutrients (N, P and K) on leaf nutrient status and their correlation with fruit quality and yield an experiment was conducted during the year 2015-2016 at the experimental field of Division of fruit Science Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar. The experimental site was located at 34.01⁰ North latitude and 74.5⁰ East longitude at an elevation of 1606 meters above mean sea level. The climate of experimental site was temperate type. The maximum temperature of the valley was 24.5⁰ C and humidity of 43.9⁰ C during the summer months. 30-40 healthy leaves free from insect damage, diseases and deficiency symptoms were collected at commercial harvesting stage during 2015 from mid portions of current season’s shoots at chest height randomly from the four quadrants of plant as per the procedure given by Chapman (1964). The samples after processing and proper digestion were analyzed for different nutrients viz. N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe and the correlation between leaf nutrients and fruit quality and yield were determined. The experiment consisted of 10 treatments of different levels nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Results revealed that highest leaf nitrogen (2.19%) was recorded in T₄ treatment with 105 g N, 35 g P₂O₅ and 150 g K₂O. The highest leaf phosphorus (0.19%) was recorded in T₇ treatment with 85g N, 45g P₂O₅ and 150g K₂O. Highest leaf potassium (1.62%) in T₁₀ treatment with 85g N, 35g P₂O₅ and 180g K₂O. Results indicated that treatments had non-significant effect on leaf calcium, magnesium and sulphur. However, the highest leaf calcium (1.76%) was recorded in T₄ treatment with 105g N, 35g P₂O₅ and 150g K₂O ; highest leaf magnesium (0.38%) was recorded with 105g N, 35g P₂O₅, 150g K₂O (T₄ treatment) and highest leaf sulphur (0.40%) was recorded in T₄ treatment with 105g N, 35g P₂O₅ and 150g K₂O. Maximum leaf zinc (31.3 mg kg^-1) was recorded in T₄ treatment with 105g N, 35g P₂O₅ and 150g K₂O. Leaf copper content differed significantly among all the treatments. Highest leaf copper (14.60 mg kg^-1) was recorded with 105g N, 35g P₂O₅, 150g K₂O (T₄ treatment). Leaf manganese content differed significantly among all the treatments. Highest leaf manganese (78.8 mg kg^-1) was recorded with 105g N, 35g P₂O₅, 150g K₂O (T₄ treatment). Highest leaf iron (126.6 mg kg^-1) was recorded in T₄ treatment with 105g N, 35g P₂O₅ and 150g K₂O. The relationship of leaf nutrient content with growth, fruit quality and yield revealed that the nitrogen content in leaves was positively and significantly correlated with tree height (r=0.897), annual shoot extension growth (r=0.801), tree girth (r=0.818), fruit length (r=0.809), fruit weight (r=0.775) and fruit yield (r=0.846). The relationship between leaf phosphorus with tree height, annual shoot extension growth, tree girth, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight and fruit yield was positive but non-significant. The potassium content of leaf was positive and non-significant with tree height, annual shoot extension growth, tree girth, fruit length, fruit weight and fruit yield. Leaf calcium was positively and non-significantly correlated with tree height, annual shoot extension growth, tree girth, fruit size, fruit weight and fruit yield. Leaf magnesium content was positively and significantly correlated with tree height (r=0.830), annual shoot extension growth (r=0.923), tree girth (r=0.853), fruit length (r=0.835), fruit weight (r=0.810) and fruit yield (r=0.950). The sulphur content in leaves was positive and significantly correlated with tree height (r=0.721), annual shoot extension growth (r=0.718), tree girth (r=0.846), fruit length (r=0.692), fruit weight (r=0.865) and fruit yield (r=0.726). Leaf zinc was positively and significantly correlated with annual shoot extension growth (r=0.748), tree girth (r=0.648), fruit length (r=0.741) and fruit yield (r=0.732). The leaf copper content was positive and significantly correlated with tree height (r=0.778), annual shoot extension growth (r=0.662), fruit weight (r=0.801) and fruit yield (r=0.661). Leaf iron was positively and significantly correlated with tree height (r=0.705), annual shoot extension growth (r=0.763), trunk girth (r=0.791), fruit length (r=0.747), fruit weight (r=0.740) and fruit yield (r=0.737). The manganese content in leaves was positively and significantly correlated with trunk girth (r=0.642) and fruit diameter (r=0.707).