Effects of foliar applications of boron and calcium on the fruit quality of 'Dongzao' (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.)

摘要

'Dongzao' is an excellent fresh cultivar of Chinese jujube Zizyphus jujuba Mill. Its area is about 100,000 ha in China. Because of the improper fertilization management, the fruit quality of 'Dongzao' has been decreasing in the production. In order to study the effect of boron and calcium on the 'Dongzao' fruit quality, foliar application of different concentrations of boron (0, 0.2, and 0.4%) and calcium (0, 0.2, and 0.4%) were carried out at Cang county, Hebei province. The first foliar spray startedat young fruit stage, and then three sprays were carried out at about 15 days interval. The results showed that both single and mixed spraying of calcium and boron increased the soluble fruit solids and reducing sugar content of the fruits, increased thefruit sweetness, and so improved fresh quality. The best treatment for improving fruit quality was the mixed spray of boron and calcium at the concentration of 0.4% respectively. Comparing with the contrast, the soluble solids and reducing sugar contentof the fruit in the best treatment were increased by 20.36 and 44.28%, respectively. Effect of foliar applications of boron and calcium on fruit size, fruit shape index, Vitamin C (Vc) and titration acid contents in fruits were not evident among different treatments.