Vegetos

Abstract

Plum is an important fruit crop of temperate climate, but its low chill varities can be grown successfully in sub-tropics. To improve the prospects of plum cultivation in sub-tropics, it is essential to improve the size and quality of fruits. Keeping it in view, the present investigation was planned to study the effect of foliar application of potassium nitrate on fruit yield and quality of plum cv. Satluj purple. Two foliar sprays of potassium nitrate @ 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%, first after two weeks of full bloom and second 10 days thereafter were applied on plum plants cv. Satluj Purple. Foliar applications of KNO3 were found effective in increasing fruit yield, fruit weight and size as compared to control. Potassium nitrate applications also increased total soluble solids (TSS) content and decreased titratable acidity (TA) of fruits as compared to control. Foliar estimation of nutrients indicated higher N and K content in leaves of KNO3 sprayed plants. Among all the treatments, KNO3 @1% was found most effective to improve the yield and quality of plum fruits.