~ 217 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2017; 6(2): 217-220 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2017; 6(2): 217-220 Received: 12-01-2017 Accepted: 13-02-2017 Mohit Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India ML Verma Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India Jagriti Thakur Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India Correspondence Mohit Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India Effect of different nitrogenous fertilizers on Fruit Quality and Yield of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Mohit, ML Verma and Jagriti Thakur Abstract The present study entitled “Evaluation of different nitrogenous fertilizers on soil properties, yield and quality of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)” was conducted at research farm of the Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Nauni Solan during 2015 and 2016 with 11 treatments. Half dose of nitrogen was applied during spring before flowering and remaining half dose was applied one month after first application. From the foregoing results it may be concluded that treatment T7 (urea 100%+lime 708 g/tree) was found to be best treatment for TSS, fruit size, fruit set and yield. Whereas, fruit quality in terms of fruit length, fruit breadth and fruit weight improved under T1 treatment (urea 0%+Ca (NO3)2 100%). From the present investigation, it may be concluded that urea and lime application in treatment T7 (urea100%+lime708g/tree) helped in obtaining, fruit set, fruit quality and yield during both the years of experimentation. Keywords: nitrogenous fertilizers (urea, calcium nitrate and urea enriched compost), quality yield (apricot) 1. Introduction Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) belongs to family rosaceae and is one of the most important fruit crop of mid-hills and dry temperate regions of the India. It is being grown commercially in India in the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttrakhand and to a limited extent in the hills of North- Eastern states. It can be grown successfully at an altitude from 900-2000 meter above mean sea level. Total area under apricot cultivation in Himachal Pradesh is 3577 hectares with a production of 3165 MT during 2013-2014 (Anonymous, 2014). Apricot is a rich source of vitamin A and contains more carbohydrates, proteins, phosphorus and niacin as compared to other common fruits (Teskey and Shoemaker, 1972) [26] . Within certain limits increasing the rate of nitrogen resulted in a corresponding increase in the terminal growth, percentage of foliar N and delayed fruit maturity (Schneider and Mcclung, 1957) [21] . An increase in nitrogen fertilization from 100 to 200 kg N per ha was reported to enhance the N content in apricot leaves and spurs (Margarian et al., 1986; Watanable et al., 1990) [13, 27] . Further, growth, yield and average fruit weight increased without reduction of fruit quality (Margarian et al., 1986) [13] . Potassium is known to be absorbed by apricot trees in significant quantities (Huguet, 1988) [6] . Potassium was considered to be absorbed at high levels by apricot trees. P fertilization enhanced the growth of leaves and spurs and the yield of apricot trees (Dimitrovski and Cevetkovic, 1981) [5] . 2. Materials and methods The experimental site is situated at the experimental farm of the department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). It is located between 30º 51′ N latitude and 76º 11′ E longitude, representing mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh and at an elevation of 1175 m above mean sea level having average slope of 7-8 per cent. Field trials were executed during the years 2015 and 2016 on full grown (26 years) apricot trees, raised on wild apricot (Chulli) root stock, planted at a distance of 6 × 6 m. The proposed study was conducted at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, with the following treatments:- 2.1 Treatments T1- urea 0% + Ca (NO3)2 100% T2- urea 20% + Ca (NO3)2 80% T3- urea 40% + Ca (NO3)2 60% T4- urea 60% + Ca (NO3)2 40%