Vol. 11, Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
KR Rajadurai and J Rajkumar

Abstract:
Custard apple can be called as a delicacy of dry region due to its very sweet delicate flesh. It is being cultivated with the recommended spacing of 6 × 6 m across the country. In order to further increase the output, it needs to be evaluated with different spacing under high density planting. Therefore, a experimental trial was conducted during 2020 at Regional Research Station, Aruppukottai, Tamil Nadu, India to evaluate the possibilities of bringing custard under high density planting through canopy management. For this study, renowned custard apple variety APK 1 was taken for study and it was planted at different spacing viz., 6 × 6 m, 6 × 5 m, 6 × 4 m, 6 × 3 m. The morphological and yield parameters were recorded. The results revealed that custard apple cv. APK 1 planted at 6 × 6 m registered an increase in plant height, stem girth, primary branches and plant spread than other high-density planting. Moreover, the yield and yield characters of custard apple revealed that the spacing treatment 6 × 6 m recorded higher single fruit weight (156 g), pulp weight (92.5 g/fruit), yield (24.5 kg/tree), whereas the higher yield per unit area was recorded when spaced 6 × 3 m (11.10 t/ha) compared to other treatments. Based on the results it could be concluded that, custard apple grown under 6 × 6 m plant geometry is well suited, however, still there is possibility for high density planting with compensation on quality of fruits and periodic pruning.