May 2017 Vol. 5 No.5

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Mustafa NS
Wl-Rheem KM

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Original Research Article

Impact of foliar application of calcium and boron on growth, nutrients content and fruit quality of fig cv. “Sultani” grown under saline condition

¹Mustafa N.S., ²Aml R.M. Yousef, ¹Dorria M. Ahmed, ¹M.M.A. Merwad and ³Abd El-Rheem Kh. M.

¹Pomology Dept., Agricultural and biological Division, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 Bohouth St., Dokki,Giza, Egypt.
²Horticultural Crops Technology Dep., Agricultural and biological Division, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 Bohouth St., Dokki,Giza, Egypt.
³Soils and Water use Dept., Agricultural and biological Division, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 Bohouth St., Dokki,Giza, Egypt.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: nabilhotine@yahoo.com

Accepted May 15, 2017

Abstract

During two seasons (2015-2016) an experiment conducted in order to assess effect of foliar application with calcium and boron on growth performance and fruit quality of fig cv “Sultani”. In this context, calcium applied at 2.5 and 5 ml/l as (Amino acids + 14% CaO) and boron at 1 ml/l and 2 ml/l as (Mono Ethanol Di-amin + 15 % B) individually or in combination. At the end of experiment at each season, samples of leaves and fruits were collected to determine fresh and dry of leaves weight, leaf moisture content, leaf area, leaf nutrients content, fruit volume, fruit fresh and dry weight, fruit dimensions, fruit firmness, fruit moisture content, TSS, acidity , ascorbic acid and total anthocyanin. Obtained results showed that the most applied treatments had a positive impact on recorded vegetative growth parameters and nutrients content in leaves. Moreover, these treatments were enhanced measured fruit quality parameters whereas calcium at (5 ml/l) in combination with boron at (2 ml/l) produced the highest values of leaf fresh and dry weight, leaf area, leaf contents of (nitrogen, phosphors calcium and boron), Fruit ascorbic acid content, and TSS, while using calcium alone at 5ml gave the best result for fruit volume, and fruit fresh weight. However, better firmness obtained when applied treatment (Ca 2.5 ml/l + B 1 ml/l). Also, the highest acidity and anthocyanin content resulted of boron treatments individually without significant differences. Generally, applying calcium and boron in combination led to increase in studied vegetative growth, enhancement in nutrient status and improvement fruit quality. These results could be attributed for critical roles of both of calcium and boron in cell division, cell wall structure stability, metabolic of (sugar, carbohydrates and IAA) and role of boron in mobility of calcium and its metabolism. Foliar application could be recommended as supplementary tool but not essentially method to fertilization program.

Keywords: foliar application, calcium and boron application, fig, Sultani cultivar, fruit quality and nutritional status