Effect of Irrigation and Fertigation Scheduling on Vegetative Growth and Yield of Guava cv.VNR Bhihi under High Density Planting System

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2018 -2019 to find out the effect of irrigation and fertigation scheduling on growth and yield of guava (Psidium guajava L.). The experiments were laid out in factorial randomized block design with sixteen treatment combinations which included four irrigation levels (120 %, 100 %, 80 % and 60 % of ET) along with four fertigation levels 120 %, 100 %, 80 % and 60 % of RDF(240,160,160 g of NPK/ plant/ year).The nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers were applied through fertigation as well as soil application to test various attributes of 2 years old guava cv. VNR Bhihi under high density planting system. The investigation indicated that (100% of ET) irrigation (I 2 ) through drip resulted in maximum plant height (1.80 m), canopy volume (1.48 m 3 ), plant spread east west and north south 1.47 m, 1.52 m respectively. Interaction effect of irrigation and fertilizer showed maximum plant height (1.84 m), plant volume (1.57 m) and plant spread (1.56 m E-W and 1.60 N-S) in I 2 F 1 treatment. Similarly maximum fruit weight (365.88 g), fruit diameter (8.64 cm polar and 7.78 cm equilateral) and fruit yield (16.87 kg) were also recorded in I 2 (100 % of ET) treatment. However, maximum fruit weight (345.76 g), fruit diameter (8.13 cm polar and 7.29 cm equilateral) and fruit yield 15.10 kg) were also recorded in F 1 (120 % of RDF). Interaction effect of irrigation and fertigation levels showed that maximum fruit weight (410.91 g), fruit diameter (9.77 cm polar and 8.74 cm equilateral) and fruit yield (21.22 kg) were also recorded in I 2 F 1 .