Effect of Nutrient Management on Productivity and Quality of Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia swingle)

Abstract

Acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) is one of the commercial fruit crops which occupies an important place in the fruit industry, but yield levels of citrus orchards are still very low. An alternate nutrient management system could help in achieving a high yield and quality of acid lime. Thus, an investigation was undertaken on the “Effect of nutrient management on productivity and quality of acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle)” during 2016 – 2018. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with twelve treatments, various organic manures, biofertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers including recommended dose of fertilization @ 100%, 75%, 50%, farm yard manure @ 100%, 50%, Vermicompost @ 100%, 50%, Biofertilizers (25 g Azotobacter + 25 g phosphate solubilising bacteria + 150 g vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal) were applied. The yield and quality characters of acid lime were studied at vegetative and reproductive stages. The observations recorded viz., fruit setting (%), fruit diameter (cm), number of fruits per plant, fruit weight (g), yield per tree (kg) and yield per hectare (tonnes). The results revealed that plants treated with T12 ( 50% RDF+ 75% Vermicompost + Biofertilizers (25 g Azotobacter +25 g PSB +150 g VAM) was observed maximum fruit setting (%), fruit diameter (cm), number of fruits per plant, fruit weight (g), yield per tree (kg), yield per hectare (tonnes). The maximum net income (Rs. 281511.5 / ha) and benefit:cost ratio (4.72: 1) was observed in the treatment T12-50% RDF + 75% FYM + 75% Vermicompost + Biofertilizers (25 g Azotobacter + 25 g PSB + 150 g VAM) which was superior to other treatments.