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Effects of Irrigation and Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Litchi (litchi Chinensis Sonn.)

M. M. Reza
Youth Training Centre, DYT, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

M. M. Bahadur
Department of Crop Botany, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

M. A. Hasan
Department of Crop Botany, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

M. S. Bari
Department of Agroforestry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

M. H. R. Hafiz
Department of Crop Botany, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted in the litchi garden at Dinajpur district in Bangladesh from 15 October 2004 to 30 May 2005 to study the effect of irrigation and fertilization on yield and quality of litchi. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The experiment consisted of three irrigation treatments viz. no irrigation, one irrigation and two irrigations, and four levels of NPK fertilizer (kg plant-1) viz. 0-0-0, 0.75- 0.88-0.62, 1.0-1.1-0.83 and 1.5-1.32-1.25. Two irrigations gave the highest yield and quality of litchi. The highest yield and best quality of litchi was obtained with highest levels of fertilizers. The combined effect of two irrigations and highest level of fertilizer (1.5 kg N, 1.32 kg P and 1.25 kg K) showed the best performance on the yield and quality of litchi.

Keywords: Irrigation, Fertilizer, Yield, Quality, Litchi

Location: Dinajpur District in Bangladesh

Start Date: 15-10-2004

End Date: 30-05-2005

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water management, Fertilizer, Litchi

Objectives:

However, there are only a few published records on the effect of management practices on yield and quality of litchi. The present study, was therefore, initiated to evaluate the effects of irrigation and fertilization on yield and quality of litchi.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted in the litchi garden of Dinajpur District in Bangladesh during the period from 15 October 2004 to 30 May 2005. The experimental area is located between 25^o 13/ and 25^o 4 / N latitudes and 88 ^o 23/ and 89^o 18/ E longitudes at the mean elevation of 37 m above the sea level. It belongs to the AEZ, Old Himalayan piedmont plain. The soil texture is silty loam with pH 6.0-6.5. The mean temperature during the growing season varies from 10.7^oC to 22.8 ^oC and the level of humidity was around 81%. The two factor experiment was laid out in the randomized block design with three replications. Three levels of irrigation [I0 = No irrigation, I1 = One irrigation (20 litre plant-1) and I2 = Two irrigations (40 litre plant-1)] and four levels of fertilizer [F0 = No NPK plant-1 (control), F1 = Low level of NPK plant-1 (0.75 kg N, 0.88 kg P, 0.62 K), F2 = Medium level of NPK plant-1 (1 kg, N 1.10kg P, 0.83 kg K) and F3 = High level of NPK plant-1 (1.5 kg N, 1.32 kg P, 1.25 kg K)] were assigned at random to the litchi plants in the garden. So, total 3?4?3 = 36 litchi plants (ten year old plants, varietyBedana) in three rows were selected in the orchard for the experiment. Each row was used as a block. In addition, cowdung and mustard oil cake was applied at the rate of 5 kg and 2 k g plant-1 . Manures and 50% of the inorganic fertilizers were applied in October 2004 by digging rings around the trees. Rest 50% of the inorganic fertilizer was applied again during March 2005 in the same ring around the trees before fruit setting. Two irrigations (I2) were given, one after first application of fertilizer and another after second application of fertilizer. In case of one irrigation, it was applied after first application of fertilizer. . The base of the trees were kept weed free during the period of experimentation. Preventive measures were taken by applying cypermethrin (Ripcord/Cymbush/Arrivo) 10EC at the rate of 1.0 ml/litre before and after fruit setting to control the insect pest like litchi mite, caterpillar, litchi fruit borer etc.. Precautionary measures against disease infestation especially mosaic virus and fruit root were taken by spraying Dithene M-45 @ 4.5g/litree at the time of flowering. Fruits were harvested when they attained full maturity indicating fruit colour changes from greenish to pinkish red. Harvesting was done from 15 May to 24 May 2005. Ten panicles from each plant were selected at random and observations were made on fruit set, fruit drop, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight. Fruit quality was determined by panel test method. Fruits plant-1 and fruit yield were obtained by counting and weighing all the litchi harvested from each plant, respectively. The data were analyzed statistically by means of computer package MSTAT. The differences among the treatment means were adjudged by the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) as outlined by Gomez and Gomez (1984).

Source of Information: J. Sci. technol. (Dinajpur) Vol. 5: 52-59 (2007) ISSN 1994-0386

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the present study, it was observed that management practices especially irrigation and fertilizer management were very important for higher and quality fruit production of litchi. Results of the present study revealed that two irrigations along with higher levels of fertilizer application produced higher yield and quality litchi. Therefore, it may be suggested to apply irrigation two times in litchi garden in the month of October and March, respectively and fertilized with high levels of fertilizers i.e. 1.5 kg N, 1.32 kg P, 1.25 kg K plant-1. In addition the plants should be manured with 2 kg of mustard oil cake and 5 kg of cowdung in the rings around the plants before first irrigation during the month of October.

Knowledge Management: Journal