Effect of foliar application of calcium and potassium on growth, yield and quality of guava (Psidium guajava L.)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24154/jhs.v21i1.4284Keywords:
Calcium nitrate, flowering, fruit retention, fruit yield, guava potassium sulphateAbstract
The present experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of foliar application of calcium nitrate and potassium sulphate on growth, yield, and fruit quality of guava cv. L-49, during 2022 to 2023, in randomized block design with ten treatments viz., T1 (absolute control), T2 [Ca(NO3)2 2%], T3 [Ca(NO3)2 4%], T4 [Ca(NO3)2 6%], T5 [K2SO4 2%], T6 [K2SO4 4%], T7 [K2SO4 6%], T8 [Ca(NO3)2 2% + K2SO4 2%],
T9 [Ca(NO3)2 4% + K2SO4 4%] and T10 [Ca(NO3)2 6% + K2SO4 6%]. Results revealed that T9-Ca (NO3)2 (4%) + K2SO4 (4%) significantly enhanced all measured parameters. T9 [Ca(NO3)2 4% + K2SO4 4%] exhibited earliest flower bud initiation (24.83 days), flowering (24.17 days) and highest flower count per shoot (20.55). The highest fruit set (8.83 fruits/shoot), lowest fruit drop (2.17 fruits/shoot) and maximum fruit retention (6.33 fruits/shoot) were also recorded under T9. In terms of physical attributes, fruit weight (148.14 g), length (4.58 cm), width (4.14 cm) and volume (163.20 cm³) were significantly improved. Yield per plant (45.29 kg) and per hectare (11.87 t) were highest in T9. Biochemical quality parameters were significantly enhaced under T9 such as total soluble solids (9.93%), ascorbic acid (235.96 mg/100 g) and total sugars (9.64%) with the lowest acidity (0.28%) and longest shelf-life (13.38 days). These findings highlight the substantial benefits of Ca (NO3)2 and K2SO4 in improving guava productivity and quality, with T9 emerging as the most effective treatment.
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