Effect of N, P, K, and Mg application on yield and fruit Quality of mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

Abstract

The study was carried out at the farmer's field of Juri Upazilla, Maulavibazar District during 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2011-2012 to find out the proper combination of fertilizer nutrients that promotes better fruit yield and quality of mandarin (cv. Khashi Kamla). The treatments were Native nutrient i.e., control (T_I), N₁₅₀P₅₀K₁₅₀Mg₃₀ (T₂), N₂₀₀P₇₅K₁₇₅Mg₄₀ (T₃), N₂₅₀P₁₀₀ K₂₀₀Mg₅₀ (T₄), N₃₀₀P₁₂₅K₂₂₅Mg₆₀ (T₅), and N₂₀₀P₇₅K₁₇₅Mg₀ (T₆) g/plant/year. In addition, 20 kg cowdung/plant was used as blanket dose. Yield components, yield, and TSS content (%) of mandarin varied significantly due to variation of nutrients in all the test years. Fruit yield/plant was improved significantly with increase in NPK and Mg dose irrespective of years. Application of Mg in combination with NPK increased 17-157% mean fruit yield over magnesium control. Significantly the highest yield and yield attributes were recorded under treatment N₃₀₀ P₁₂₅ K₂₂₅ Mg₆₀ g/plant (T₅) along with 20 kg cowdung/plant in all the years. Total soluble sugar (%) content was also maximum in trees receiving N₃₀₀P₁₂₅K₂₂₅Mg₃₀ g/plant. The highest gross margin and marginal rate of return were achieved by the same treatment (T₅). The lowest fruit yield/plant was obtained from untreated control plot (native nutrient). Three years study revealed that application of N₃₀₀P₁₂₅K₂₂₅Mg₆₀ along with 20 kg cowdung/plant would be economically optimum for achieving higher yield and better fruit quality in mandarin grown under piedmont plain soil.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i3.16969

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 425-433, September 2013