A NEW STRATEGY TO ENRICH CALCIUM NUTRITION OF FRUIT: SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF POSTHARVEST FOLIAR CALCIUM AND BORON SPRAYS

Author： Sen Fatih Karacali Ismail Irget Mehmet Esref Elmaci Omer Lutfu Tepecik Mahmut

ISSN： 0190-4167

Source： Journal of Plant Nutrition, Vol.33, Iss.2, 2010-01, pp. : 175-184

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

The objective of the study is to investigate the role of calcium (Ca) and boron (B) synergy in higher maintenance of Ca in fruit buds during senescence. To study the hypothesis, an experiment was conducted for two years in two 'Starking Delicious' apple (Malus domastica Borkh.) orchards established on seedling rootstocks in Banaz, Usak, Turkey. Treatments composed of postharvest foliar sprays of Ca at rate of 15.13 kg h-1, B at rate of 2.47 kg h-1 and their combination (Ca+B) compared with control trees sprayed with water. Fruiting spurs, flower ovaries, young and mature fruits were sampled and analyzed for their Ca, B, potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) contents. Fruit were stored for six months and quality attributes were studied. Results put forth that Ca+B treatments significantly increase fruit Ca and B concentrations and firmness. The results displayed that postharvest B spray improves Ca nutrition of fruits through synergism of Ca+B on Ca translocation.