Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

Author(s):
Pulidindi Leela Janaki, Dr. J Dilip Babu, Dr. D Venkata Swami, Dr. M Kalpana, Dr. D Salomi Suneetha and Dr. B Chennakesavulu

Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out to study the influence of fertigation on growth characters of cocoa grown under coconut plantation in a farmer’s field in Ankampalem village of East Godavari District under Horticultural Research Station, Ambajipeta during 2019 to 2021. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments replicated thrice with different combinations of water soluble fertilizers applied through drip and soil application. The tree height, girth of the tree, height at first branching (HAFB), canopy spread (North-South and East-West) and canopy volume were recorded before drip fertigation and at final harvest in both the years. On a average, the results reported that the trees supplied with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers had recorded highest plant height of 4.58 m, plant girth of 64.05 cm and height at first branching of 1.37 m on a average. The results regarding average canopy volume (22.18), canopy spread (East- West) (3.86 m) and canopy spread (North-South) (3.78 m) were recorded highest in the plants treated with 125% RDF through drip irrigation. The above results indicated that application of 125% RDF as water soluble fertilizers through drip irrigation was recommended in black alluvial soils of Andhra Pradesh to promote growth characters of cocoa.