Enhancement of canino apricot fruit quality, storability and shelf life via calcium sprays.

摘要

The present investigation was carried out for two successive seasons i.e. 2008 and 2009 on mature uniform Canino apricot trees grown in a private orchard located at El Boston region in Behera Governorate. Selected trees were sprayed at 15 or 30 days before anticipated maturity stage or on both dates with CaO at 3.5, 7 or 14% using one of the following commercial compounds: Tradecorp-Ca (containing Ca EDTA 14% W/W CaO), Boramine-Ca (containing 10.4% w/v CaO, 6.5% w/v amino acids and 0.27% w/v B) or Klover-Cal-Bor (containing 9%CaO, 1% B and 5% total N). Basic fruit characteristics have been assed at harvest, 40 days after cold storage and 5 days of shelf life at room temperatures 20-25 degrees C. Both peel and flesh calcium % has also been estimated. As a general trend best results were due to double sprays of highest CaO concentration using Klover Cal-Bor and this was accompanied with significantly the highest peel and flesh calcium content. It was concluded from the results, that source of calcium affected the calcium absorption and that the presence of boron at high concentration in Klover Cal-Bor could be enhanced the calcium effect in addition to the positive effects of boron on the considered fruit quality parameters.