Effect of Rate and Time of Nitrogen Application on Quantitative and Qualitative Yield of Almond (Prunus dulcis)

Author

Assistant Professor, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center; Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

A three-year study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different levels and times of nitrogen (N) application on qualitative and quantitative yield of almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.), cv."Mamai". The experiment used a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. The treatments of this research consisted of four rates of N (N1=150, N2=300, N3=450 and N4=600 gram net N per tree, from ammonium nitrate) and four times of N application (T1= one, T2= Two, T3= Three and T4= Four splits). The analysis of variance results revealed that the effect of year was significant on 100 fruit weight, tree diameter, initially and finally fruit set percentage, and tree yield. The effect of nitrogen rate application was significant on the studied parameters. The maximum rate of 100 fruit weight, tree yield, 100 kernel weight, initial and final fruit set percentage, and protein percentage were obtained from N3  and were, respectively, 403.6 g, 3.78 kg, 120.5 g, 34%, 23% and 7.20% . The maximum of branch length, branch diameter and tree diameter were, respectively, 31.5, 0.92, and 7.8 mm which were obtained in N4 treatment. Different times of N application showed a significant effect on the studied parameters. The maximum of these parameters were obtained from T3. The interaction effect of rate and time of application was significant on 100 fruit weight, 100 kernel weight, tree diameter, and protein percentage. The maximum of the studied parameters was obtained from N3T3. Considering the results of this experiment, the N3T3 treatment is suggested for almond orchards of Chaharmahal–va-Bakhtiari province and regions with the same soil and climate condition

Keywords


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