📚 Volume 31, Issue 6
📋 ID: MsiKgKW
Authors
vijay kumar
Sher -e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu -180 009, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of trickle irrigation and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) on nutrient availability and fruit production of Aonla. The two years pooled data assessed the influence of trickle irrigation intervals (3 and 6 days) and various doses of superabsorbent polymer (30, 60, 90, and 120 g) with black polyethylene mulch on soil properties, soil and leaf nutrient availability and fruit yield quality attributes of Aonla. Results showed that the combined treatment of drip/trickle irrigation intervals and SAP with mulch retained the maximum water holding capacity, with the three-day interval of drip/trickle irrigation paired with 90 g of SAP and mulch exhibiting the most positive effects on soil characteristics, and fruit yield enhancement. Plants treated with this method yielded the highest fruit production (101.43 kg/tree), followed by the same irrigation interval with 120 g of SAP and mulch (96.98 kg/tree), while control plants yield the least (66.79 kg/tree) over the two-year period (pooled data). Superabsorbent polymers not only conserve water during irrigation but also enhance soil physico-chemical and biological properties, being environmentally friendly as they naturally degrade without leaving toxic residues. Thus, the application of SAP presents a promising approach to increasing fruit production sustainably in water-stressed environments.
📝 How to Cite
vijay kumar (2024). "Nutrient availability and fruit production of Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) as affected by trickle irrigation and superabsorbent polymer". Wulfenia, 31(6).