Vol. 9, Issue 5 (2020)

Author(s):
Sreedhar Devarakonda, C Madhumathi, V Umamahesh, L Mukunda Lakshmi, M Lakshmi Narayana Reddy, V Vijaya Bhaskar and T Rajasekharam

Abstract:
A field and laboratory study was carried out during November, 2015 to October, 2017 at Horticultural Research Station, Anantharajupeta, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. The positive influence of application of salicylic acid @ 150 ppm twice at 45 and 120 DAT (T₉) was seen on significantly highest number of leaves (43.73) at 240 DAT which was at par with T₈ (42.73) and T₇ (41.07) and the lowest number of leaves was observed in T₁₃ (control) (34.60). Further, the total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content were observed to be significantly high in T₉ (3.30, 2.04 and 1.25 mg g^-1) which was found to be at a par with T₈ and T₇. Number of days taken for initiation of flowering and days taken for 50% flowering were decreased significantly with the application of T₉ (114.33 DAT and 130.50 DAT respectively) which was found at par with T_8, T₂ and T₃. The corresponding values in control (T₁₃) were found to be much higher (127 and 147.80 respectively). Almost a similar trend was observed with respect to days for first fruit initiation and number of days taken to harvest, where in the values for T₉ were 146.66 DAT and 130.67 DAA respectively which were at par with T₈ (145.50 DAT and 131.66 DAA). The representing values for control (T₁₃) were 163.67 DAT and 146 DAA).Regarding yield parameters, highest yield per plot (kg) and yield per hectare (tons) were found to be highest in T₉ (552.42 kg and 116.06 tons ha^-1) which was at par with T₈ (546.59 kg and 114.83 tons ha^-1). The lowest values in this regard were recorded in control (T₁₃) (25.20 kg, 370.57 kg and 77.85 tons ha^-1).