Effect of Foliar Application of Micronutrients on Retention, Yield and Quality of Fruit in Litchi cv Bombai

摘要

Effect of exogenous application of micronutrients in improving growth, retention, yield and quality of fruit in litchi cv Bombai was studied at farmers field, Beniagram, Farakka, West Bengal, India during 2005--2007. Micronutrients viz. borax at 0.25 and 0.50% and zinc sulfate at 0.50 and 1.0% were sprayed twice, once at pea and again at marble stage (15 days after first spray). Maximum retention of fruit (40.08%) and yield (4, 110.50 fruits) per plant was recorded from the plant sprayed with zinc sulfate at 0.50%. Highest fruit weight (22.96 g), TSS (20.88 degree B), total sugar (16.09%), reducing sugar (14.77%) with excellent color due to high anthocyanin content (65.89 mg/100g peel) and reduced acidity (0.456%) were noted by spraying of borax at 0.50%. ZnSO sub(4) at 1.0% increased the ascorbic acid content (53.04 mg/100 g pulp) of fruit.