Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF ORGANIC FARMING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY IN SWEET ORANGE UNDER WESTERN MAHARASHTRA CONDITIONS

S.N. Gohil, B.T. Gaikwad, D.D, Jagtap, S. V. BuIbule and V.B. Jadhav

Abstract

Under the study of organic farming in Sweet orange the treatment T2, F.Y.M. 80 kg + Neem cake 8 kg + organic plant protection, showed maximum plant height (3.33m) and canopy volume (13.87m3).1n respect of yield characters the no of fruits/plant (303 fruits), yield /plant (79.77 kg) and yield/ha (22.10 t) was maximum in Ts,Vermicompost 20 kg + Neem cake 8 kg + organic plant protection. In quality parameters the Ascorbic acid content was maximum (60.98 mg 100 ml of juice) in Ts, while TSS content was maximum (9.83 in T7, Vermicompost 20 kg + Neem cake 4 kg + Castor cake 4 kg + 4% Dashparni and T12 Press mud 60 kg + Neem cake 4 kg + Castor cake,4 kg + organic plant protection. All the organic treatments showed increased EC and organic carbon as compared to control which was maximum (0.40 dSm -I EC and 0.61% organic carbon) in T5.The available soil NPK as well as leaf nutrient concentration of P and K was maximum in the organic treatments as compared to control.The pest incidence was significantly minimum in T5 among the organic treatments in respect of leaf miner and Aphids.The reaction of diseases was minimum in -1-9,T3 and Ts as compared to the control. Similarly incidence of stem end rot was minimum in Ts followed by T3.The incidence of Tristeza was not observed in T8 and Tic