In-situ Moisture Conservation for Rain-fed Cultivation of Guava Hybrid 'Arka Amulya' in Indian East Coast

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during 2007-12 to find out the effects of various in situ moisture conservation methods on growth and yield of guava hybrid 'Arka Amulya' under rain-fed conditions of east coast India. Four in situ rain water harvesting structures (cup and plate, half-moon, full moon and trench) in combination with three levels of mulching (no mulch, inorganic mulch and organic mulch) were evaluated employing split plot design. Each treatment combination was replicated five times. Among four in situ rain water harvesting structures, cup and plate system resulted in maximum annual increments in vegetative growth parameters, viz., plant height (36.01cm), canopy diameter (47.65 cm), scion girth (6.05 cm), and also fruit yield (5.63 kg plant^-1). Both organic (10cm thick layer of grass) and inorganic (UV stabilized black polythene of 100 micron thickness) mulches significantly improved vegetative growth, yield and total soluble solids of fruit over no mulch.