Vol. 11, Issue 7 (2022)

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

Abstract:
A study was conducted during 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021 to find out the effect of fertilizer sources and rate through drip fertigation on growth and yield of custard apple (Annonas squamosa L.) Cv. Balanagar. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with eight treatment combinations which included four levels of fertigation (100, 75, 50% and surface application) and two sources of fertilizers, which included water soluble fertilizers and solid fertilizers with four replication. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) content of solid and water soluble fertilizers were applied through fertigation as well as soil application to test various attributes of 5-years-old custard apple cv. Balanagar. The investigation indicated that 100% RDF (recommend dose of fertilizers) with water soluble fertilizers (F₁S₂) resulted in 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). However, surface application of 100% RDF with solid fertilizers (F₄S₁) resulted in minimum growth and yield attributes in custard apple.