Effect of differential nitrogen doses on yield, fruit quality and foliar nutrient concentration of water apple (Syzygium javanica)

Abstract

An investigation was made to know the effect of different levels of nitrogen on yield, fruit quality and foliar N, P and K status of water apple (Syzygium javanica) grown in laterite soil. The attempt was also made to find out the best time for leaf sampling for N, P and K estimation in water apple. There were four treatments, nitrogen at 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/tree/year which were applied at two splits, i e March and September following randomized design having six replications. Three consecutive years of investigation indicated that application of nitrogen at 200 g/tree along with 100 g P₂O₅, 100 g K₂O and 20 kg FYM resulted in highest fruit production which was associated with the foliar N values of 1.40 to 1.44 %. The best time of leaf collection in water apple for N was the month of September–October (6-7 month old leaves) while for P and K it was July–August (4-5 month old leaves).