Fertigation management in high density apple plantation in District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Water and nutrient most critical inputs for getting higher crop yield. However, these two inputs are even more important under high density apple plantation and essential for ensuring optimum growth of newly planted apple orchards. For highdensity orchards, the economic success really depends on obtaining significant yields in the third, fourth, and fifth years to repay the establishment costs. Therefore, efforts have been made through front line demonstrations (FLD) to demonstrate the use of water soluble fertilizers through drip irrigation in high density apple plantation by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chamba at different locations of Chamba District, in the year 2020. During the period under study, it was observed that in front line demonstrations; the yield under demonstrations was 47.22 % higher as compared to check. The results revealed that check gives an average fruit yield of 90 q/ha, while use of water soluble fertilizers along with drip gives highest average yield of 132.5 q/ha. Similarly, the demonstration gave higher average gross returns (13,25,000 /ha) and net returns (10,75,000 /ha) with average benefit cost ratio of 4.3 compared to benefit cost ratio of 4.14 under check. With frontline demonstration of proven technology revealed that yield potential and net income from high density apple plantation could be enhanced to a great extent resulting in higher income to the apple grower.