Effects of organic and inorganic nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of Sapota ‘Kalipatti’

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic and inorganic nitrogen in the form of urea and castor cake on the growth, yielding and fruit quality of sapota trees. Nitrogen in the form of urea significantly influenced the vegetative growth of the trees. The greatest tree height (7.26 m), tree spread (8.11 m in N-S and 8.13 m in E-W directions), fruit weight (63.65 g), the number of fruit per tree (2627.56) and fruit yield per tree (163.30 kg) were obtained with the application of 900 g N/tree in the form of urea. However, that was found on a par with the application of 900 g N/tree in which 50% N was from urea and 50% from castor cake. Total sugars and reducing sugars content in fruit was found the highest in the 900 g N/tree treatment in which 25% N was from urea and 75% N from castor cake.