Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Litchi places among the most important subtropical fruit with significant commercial value due to its attractive colour and nutritional richness. Enhancement in fruit quality has consistently been a major objective to improve its marketability. In the recent field experiment, the effect of foliar spray of nano fertilizers on improving the quality of litchi fruits was evaluated. A total of three concentrations (50 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm) of four different nano fertilizers; silicon dioxide (SiO₂), nano zinc oxide (ZnO), nano urea and nano potassium (K) along with control (water) was taken. The foliar application of all the nano fertilizers was done thrice; first during the pea stage, followed by second and third sprays after 15 days and 30 days, respectively. Among all the treatments, application of nano K at 50 ppm resulted in higher fruit and seed size, increased pulp and peel weight in contrast to control. The foliar application of nano ZnO at 100 ppm significantly improved total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars and also reduced acidity at the same time. The present study revealed that preharvest application of nano K (50 ppm) and ZnO at 100 ppm significantly improved the quality of litchi fruits. The results indicated new perspective for sustainable cultivation of litchi with the application of nano fertilizers.