Influence of micronutrient spray on the growth, yield and leaf nutrient status of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Lucknow-49
Author(s): A Nithya Devi, S Sheeba Joyce Roseleen, K Indhumathi and K Kumanan
Abstract: Foliar application of micronutrients escalates efficient use of nutrients, increases in quality and yield along with quick response. An experiment was undertaken to study the effect of foliar application of mineral nutrients viz., boron (B), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) sprayed at different growth stages viz., at fruit set and one month after first spray at the experimental HDP field at Horticultural College and Research Institute for Women, Tiruchirappalli during the year 2022–23. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Block Design with 13 treatments and 4 replications with a spacing of 3 x 1.5 m. Foliar sprays with boron, magnesium and zinc significantly affected the physio-chemical properties of the fruits. The treatments imposed are T1: Control, T2: Boric acid 0.25%, T3: Boric acid 0.50%, T4: Boric acid 0.75%, T5: ZnSO4 0.25%, T6:ZnSO4 0.5%, T7:ZnSO4 0.75%, T8: MgSO4 0.25%, T9: MgSO4 0.50%, T10: ZnSO4 0.75%, T11: Boric acid (0.25%) + MgSO4 (1%) + ZnSO4 (0.25%), T12: Borax (0.50%) + Magnesium Sulphate (2%) + Zinc Sulphate (0.5%), T13: Borax (0.75%) + Magnesium Sulphate (3%) + Zinc Sulphate (0.75%). The maximum Fruit length (7.5 cm), width (8.2 cm), weight (160.2 g), volume (176.2 ml), specific gravity (1.01) and yield per plant (3.877 kg) were significantly high in the treatment T3 (0.5% boric acid). This study demonstrates the use of Boric acid 0.5% is found valuable for improving the yield and quality of Guava cv. Lucknow-49. It can be concluded from this study that foliar sprays of boron, magnesium and zinc are beneficial for improving fruit quality and leaf nutrient status of guava cv. Lucknow-49.
