IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY OF 'FAGRI KALAN' MANGO TREES GROWN UNDER SANDY SOIL CONDITIONS USING POTASSIUM. BORON AND SUCROSE AS FOLIAR SPRAY

摘要

This study aimed to improve mineral status, fruit set, yield and fruit characteristics of Fagri Kalan mango trees grown under sandy soil conditions at El-Sadat district, Minufiya governorate, Egypt. Trees were sprayed during 2001 and 2002 seasons withpotassium citrate at 0.3% solely or in combination either with boric acid at (0.25 & 0.5%) or sucrose at (5 & 10%) once at full bloom stage. Spraying potassium + sucrose enhanced nitrogen and potassium contents in the leaves. Meanwhile, spraying potassium + boric acid increased nitrogen, potassium and boron levels in such leaves. On other hand, such treatments had no effect on phosphorus percentage. The results revealed that spraying trees with potassium citrate at 0.3% combined with boric acid at 0.5%was the promising treatment, since it enhanced nitrogen, potassium and boron content in the leaves and raised fruit set, fruit retention and reduced fruit drop, also increased yield as weight and number of fruits/tree. This treatment improved physical and chemical properties of fruits comparing with the other treatments including the control.