Optimizing yields in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis osbeck) through phenology based nutrition Lakshmi L. Mukunda1,*, Ramana K.T. Venkata2, Reddy D. Sreenivas3, Rajasekharam T.4 1Senior Scientist, (Plant Path), Dr Y S R Horticultural University, AICRP on Fruits, CRS, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517 502, India 2Principal Scientist, (Plant Path), Dr Y S R Horticultural University, AICRP on Fruits, CRS, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517 502, India 3Senior scientist (Ento), (Plant Path), Dr Y S R Horticultural University, AICRP on Fruits, CRS, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517 502, India 4Senior scientist (Plant Path), Dr Y S R Horticultural University, AICRP on Fruits, CRS, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517 502, India *Corresponding author email: lmukunda@gmail.com
Online published on 25 May, 2023. Abstract Timing is important for citrus fertiliser programs, as the trees require different nutrients at different stages. A field experiment on stage wise requirement of nutrients in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) cv. Sathgudi was carried out at All India Coordinated Research Project (Fruits), Citrus Research Station, DRYSRHU, Tirupati during 2015–20. The pooled result of investigation revealed that, the effect of stage wise application of nutrients on growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet orange were significant. The maximum plant height (2.64m), canopy volume (17.58 m3), number of fruits (374 fruits/tree) and yield (56.80 kg/tree and 15.21 t/ha) with higher benefit: cost ratio (1.85) were recorded in the treatment T3 i.e. application of RDF in five splits i.e., 225:140 g N & P2O5 along with 8 kg neem cake and 40kg FYM during January-February at flowering and fruit setting stage, 225:122.5 g N and P2O5 during March- April at fruit setting and marble size fruits, 300:87.5:120 g N: P2O5: K2O during May-June at lemon size fruit development stage, 140 g K2O during July-August at fruit size enlargement, 140g K2O during September at fruit maturity stage one month before harvesting followed by rest period (without fertilizers) during November-December months for Ambe bahar crop in sweet orange. Similarly, best fruit quality parameters (TSS:11.050 Brix with 0.63% minimum acidity and high TSS acidity ratio) with maximum shelf life (20 days) were also recorded in the same treatment. Hence, five split application of nutrient dose is recommended for higher yields and quality fruits in sweet orange in red sandy loam soils of Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Top Keywords Fertilizers, Sathgudi, Sweet Orange, Nutrients, Stages. Top |