Response of Different Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Selection to Combined Application of Inorganic Fertilizers and Organic Manures

Abstract

The effectiveness of combined application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures was studied on four walnut selections in temperate region of India (Kashmir). The experiment consisted of four selections [SKAU/002 (S1), SKAU/008 (S2), SKAU/024 (S3) and SKAU/040 (S4)] and six treatments [T1 (NPK recommended as per package of practices through inorganic fertilizers), T2 {100% through manure (FYM 50% + vermicompost 25% + poultry manure 25%)}, T3 (75% NPK through inorganic fertilizers + 25% through FYM), T4 (75% NPK through inorganic fertilizers + 25% through vermicompost), T5 (75% NPK  through inorganic fertilizers + 25% through poultry manure) and T6  {75% NPK through inorganic fertilizers + 25% through manure (1/3 FYM + 1/3 vermicompost + 1/3 poultry manure)} replicated five times and three tree in each replication in Factorial Randomized Block Design. All fertilizers and manures were applied in the first week of December beneath the tree canopy and incorporated well with soil. There was significant difference in vegetative growth and yield parameters among different treatments as well as different walnut selections. Results reveal that maximum increment in tree height (16.12%), tree girth (1.40%), tree canopy volume (37.85 m3), shoot extension growth (0.81 m), fruit set (40.52%)  fruit retention (58.21%), yield  (5.87 kg/tree) was found in treatment T4. Within selections S1 showed maximum fruit set (38.96%) and fruit retention (57.53%), however S2 recorded highest yield (5.53 kg/tree).