Response of Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.) cv. ‘Assam Lemon’ to Organic Nutrient Management: Effects on Yield, Quality, and Soil Health Status in the Subtropical Mid-Hills of Arunachal Pradesh
摘要
A field experiment was carried out from 2022 to 2024 on ‘Assam Lemon’ in the subtropical mid-hill region of Arunachal Pradesh to study the effects of organic sources of nutrients on yield, quality, and leaf and soil health status. The study used correlation and principal component analyses to identify trait interdependencies as well as the direct and indirect effects on yield and quality of ‘Assam Lemon.’ The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications, which included combinations of various organic sources of nutrients. Among the organic treatments applied, those combined with mulching—i.e., farmyard manure (FYM; 7 kg per plant) + vermicompost (4 kg per plant) + mulching with local weed biomass (T5) and FYM (7 kg per plant) + vermicompost (4 kg per plant) + neem cake (0.5 kg per plant) + mulching with local weed biomass (T10)—resulted in better vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality in ‘Assam Lemon.’ The maximum plant height (200.67 cm) and percent increase in plant height (17.67) were recorded in treatment T5. The maximum canopy spread (N–S; 216.67 cm) and percent increase in canopy spread (N–S; 24.98) were observed in treatment T10. With respect to yield-related parameters, the maximum fruit set (39.34%), number of fruits per plant (54.39), and yields of 8.49 kg per plant and 94.36 qt ha−1 were recorded in the T5 treatment, followed by the T10 treatment, with a fruit set of 38.88%, number of fruits per plant of 51.83, and yields of 8.13 kg per plant and 90.29 qt ha−1;the T10 treatment resulted in the highest fruit weight (157.78 g). In terms of fruit quality, the T10 treatment resulted in the highest total soluble solids (6.02 °Brix) and ascorbic acid contents (43.60 mg per 100 g) and in the lowest titratable acidity (3.63%), whereas the T5 treatment resulted in a sugar content of 3.96% reducing sugars and 5.89% total sugars Treatments T5 and T10 can be used to enhance fruit yield and quality along with soil and tree nutrient status in the subtropical mid-hills of Arunachal Pradesh.