Vol. 11, Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
Ajendra Kumar, AK Singh, Ranjeet Kumar and Ravi Shankar Singh

Abstract:
The present investigation entitled “Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on growth and yield of phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis D.C.) Fruits” was carried out at Main Experimental Station, Department of Fruit Science, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology Kumarganj Ayodhya (U.P) during year 2017-18 to investigate the response of foliar application of micronutrients on the physio-chemical quality of phalsa fruits. Eight effective treatments of foliar application of micro-nutrient zinc shulphate 0.4%, Borax 0.2%, and Iron 0.4% as individual and in combination were incorporated with three replication as T_{1 ­}(Control), T₂ (ZnSO₄ 0.4%), T₃ Borax 0.2%, T₄ (FeSO₄ 0.4%), T₅ (ZnSO₄ 0.4% + Borax 0.2%), T₆ (ZnSO4 (0.4%) + FeSO4 (0.4%), T₇ (Borax 0.2% + FeSO₄ 0.4%), T₈ (ZnSO₄ 0.4% + Borax 0.2% + FeSO₄ 0.4%). The foliar spraying of the micronutrients on the plants were done twice first at just before bloom and second just after fruit set. Fruit quality in terms of fruit weight, dimensions, pulp-stone ratio, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugar and total sugar were recorded and statistically analysed as per Randomised block design (R.B.D) at p< 0.05. The observations recorded during the investigation revealed that phalsa plants fed with micronutrients significantly improve the quality of phalsa fruits. Maximum fruit weight of 50 fruits (48.59 g), Fruit dimensions (length and breadth 1.24 cm and 1.16 cm respectively), pulp-stone ratio (1.22), ascorbic acid (38.56mg/100g pulp), Total soluble solids (22.63 ⁰Brix), Reducing sugar (15.77%), Non-reducing sugar (3.59%), Total sugar (19.36%) whereas minimum titrable acidity (1.77%) were recorded in fruits of plants foliar fed with zinc sulphate 0.4% + Borax 0.2% + Ferrous sulphate 0.4% (T₈) which was significantly superior over the other treatments.