Potassium Fertigation Improved Growth, Yield and Quality of Kinnow Mandarin in Potassium Rich Soils

Effects of potassium fertigation on the productivity of Kinnow were investigated in potassium rich soils of South-Western Punjab, India during 2018-2020. Three application rates of potassium i.e. 1000, 750 and 500 g Muriate of Potash (MoP; 60% K as K2O) per tree were applied at fortnightly intervals in two, three and four splits during February, May, July and September. The results were compared with standard recommendation for the region (three foliar sprays of 1% potassium nitrate) and no K application (control). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design, replicated thrice. The data showed that K fertigation significantly (p ) improved the growth, yield and quality of fruits over both standard recommendation and control. A comparison among different K split applications (fertigation) revealed higher growth, yield and quality of fruits in trees which received MoP in four splits. However, the differences among 1000 g, 750 g and 500 g K application rates were statistically comparable especially in terms of tree vigor, yield, percent juice, TSS-acid ratio and ascorbic acid content of fruits. These results suggest the fertigation of 500 g MoP per tree in four split applications to achieve higher growth and productivity of Kinnow in K rich soils of South-Western Punjab.