EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY OF SOME MICRO NUTRIENTS AND GIBBERELLIN ON LEAF MINERAL CONTENT, FRUIT SET, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF ANNA APPLE TREES

摘要

This investigation was carried out during 2001 and 2002 growing seasons cm Anna apple trees, grown in calcareous soil, aiming to study the effect of foliar sprays with Gibberellin and a mixture of chelated (Fe, Zn, and Mn) alone or in combination on fruit set, fruit drop percentage, some leaf mineral content, yield and fruit quality Results revealed that, Gibberellin alone or with a mixture of chelated (Fe, Zn, and Mn) treatments gave a significant increase in fruit set and reduced fruit drop. Yieldas weight or number of fruits / tree, as well as fruit quality (average fruit weight, firmness, TSS, acidity and total sugar) were, generally, improved under all treatments as compared with the control. GibbereUin alone or with a mixture of chelated (Fe,Zn and Mn) when applied to foliage caused a pronounced increase in leaf N, Fe, In and Mn, while leaf P and K decreased in both experimental seasons. Treatment number i.e. ((Fe+Zn+Mn) at 0,05% +GA_3 at 20ppm) gave the best results compared to other treatments in both seasons.