Vol. 10, Issue 5 (2021)

Author(s):
Nissi FG, Lakshmi ML, Swami DV, Krishna UK, Salomi DR and Dilip BJ

Abstract:
The investigation on effect of soil conditioners in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) was conducted in Rayalaseema area of Andhra Pradesh. The treatments include soil conditioners like Pusa hydrogel, Zeba hydrogel, organic and inorganic mulches. The plant growth parameters like plant height, canopy spread and canopy volume were maximum in plants that were applied with 70% ER + ZEBA @ 5 kg/acre (45 g/plant). Fruit parameters like fruit weight (220.33 g), fruit length (6.65 cm), rind thickness (4.79 mm), fruit yield per tree (66.63 kg) and number of fruits (428.66) were also maximum in fruits from the trees which were applied with 70% ER + ZEBA @ 7.5 kg/acre (70 g/plant). Highest juice percent (61.28%) lowest fruit drop percent (1.06%) and highest fruit yield (18.31 t/ha) were recorded in 70% ER + Pusa gel @ 2 kg/acre (20 g/plant).