Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
ZK Patel, RV Tank, NB Patel and BM Tandel

Abstract:
Field experiment entitled was conducted during the years 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, (Gujarat). The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design which comprising seven treatments namely, T₁: 100% RDF (NPK+FYM), T₂: 100% NPK soil analysis basis, T₃: T₂ +100 kg FYM tree^-1, T₄: 75% RDF + 25% RDN (Biocompost), T₅: 50% RDF + 25% RDN (Biocompost), T₆: 75% RDF + 25% RDN (Neemcake), T₇: 50% RDF + 25% RDN (Neemcake). All the seven treatments were repeated thrice. Full dose of FYM, phosphorus and potassium were applied in the month of June, whereas nitrogen, biocompost and neemcake were given in two equal splits, first half in the month of June and remaining half in the month of February. Biofertilizers (Azotobacter, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and potassium mobilizing bacteria) were applied in the month of February @ 50 ml per tree each in all treatments except T₁. Results showed that application of 100% NPK soil analysis basis + 100 kg FYM tree^-1 showed maximum physical parameters viz., fruit weight (274.85, 302.81 and 288.83 g), fruit length (11.33, 12,37 and 11.82 cm), fruit diameter (7.67, 7.35 and 7.53 cm) and fruit volume (245.31, 273.38 and 259.35 cm³) as well as yield parameters, highest number of fruits per tree (399.47, 414.93 and 407.20) along with fruit yield (108.11, 119.57 and 113.84 kg tree^-1) and (10.81, 11.96 and11.38 t ha^-1) during both the years i.e., 2020-21, 2021-22 and pooled data, respectively. In case of soil nutrient analysis, available N (261.95, 264.89 and 263.42 kg ha^-1), available P (48.33, 52,07 and 50.20 kg ha^-1), and available K (367.87, 387.60 and 377.73 kg ha¹) were also recorded maximum in the treatment T₃ (100% NPK soil analysis basis + 100 kg FYM tree^-1). Maximum soil microbial count i.e. 6.6 × 10⁹ and 7.9 × 10⁹ was recorded with the treatment T₃. From the economic point of view and based on fruit yield per hectare the highest net realization i.e., ₹. 1,97,592 was obtained in the treatment T3 (100% NPK soil analysis basis + 100 kg FYM kg tree^-1). Whereas, the maximum benefit cost ratio (2.28) was obtained in the treatment T₄ [75% RDF + 25% RDN (Biocompost)] in mango cv. Kesar.