Studies on the Effect of Split Application of NPK
fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Papaya under
Central Dry Zone of Karnataka
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Yellapu Rammohan, Sivaprasad M., Ramadugu Subash,
Chandra mohan reddy, Siva Koteswarrao,
Sudheer Kumar Reddy
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Received 24 February 2023, Accepted 21 May 2023, Published on 18 August 2023
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ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted at Eswargere village, Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga district during the year 2020-2021 to assess the effects of split application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer on papaya growth and yield, and the experiment was set up in Randomized Complete Block Design. The treatments include seven treatments comprising varying rates (75, 100 and 125% recommended dose of fertilizers) and time of application (Bimonthly and monthly intervals). Among growth attributes plant height (186.70 cm), stem girth (46.38) was recorded highest in 125% RDF through split application. In yield attributes maximum fruit length (23.54 cm) circumference (44.75 cm), volume (1711.07 cc) firmness (7.43 kg/cm2), total yield (138.83 t/ha) and lowest cavity index (14.84) were also observed in 125% RDF through split. Applying of 125% RDF through split at different growth stages (187.5:156.25:125 N: P2O5: K2O g/plant) in vegetative stage of 4 months, (62.5:125:187.5 N: P2O5: K2O g/plant) in flowering to fruit set stage of 2 months, (62.5:31.25:312.5 N: P2O5: K2O g/plant) in fruit development stage of 3 months at monthly interval showed to be better for fetching maximum plant growth and yield of papaya fruits.
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Keywords Carica papaya L., RDF, Leaf area, Fruit volume, Cavity index, Total fruit yield.
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