Vol. 11, Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
Priya B, Kurubar AR, Ashok H, Ramesh G, Udaykumar N, Umesh MR and Rajakumar H

Abstract:
Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) can tap a considerable volume of soil with its extensive root system under natural habitat. However, the natural fertility of soils is rarely sufficient to give economic yields. A study was undertaken during 2019-2020 and 2020-21 at the at the Horticulture Garden, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Raichur, Karnataka to find out the effect of N, P and K application on growth and yield of custard apple Cv. Balanagar. The experiment consisted of 5 treatments comprising T₁ (control), T₂ 75% RDF (188:94:94 g/plant), T₃-100% RDF (250: 125:125 g/ plant), T₄-125% RDF (313:157:157 g/plant) and T₅-150% RDF (388:187:187 g/plant). The results revealed that increasing levels of N, P and K (388:187:187 g/plant) (T₅) significantly increased growth and yield of custard apple. However, maximum plant height (3.25 m), canopy volume (19.90 m³), stem girth (8.05cm), leaf area index (2.87), relative chlorophyll content (56.31 SPAD readings), percent of fruit set (44.71%), fruit length (7.38 cm), fruit diameter (7.85 cm), average fruit weight (184.93 g), fruit volume (196.73 g), number of fruits per plant (84.55) and fruit yield (6.45 t ha^-1) were observed in 150% RDF (388:187:187 g/plant) (T₅) as compare to control (T₁).