CALCIUM SPRAYING ON NUTRIENT CONCENRATION OF LEAF, SKIN, AND FRUIT IN ‘HASS’ AVOCADO

Abstract

With the objective of studying the effect of Ca(NO3)2, we carried out pre-harvest foliar sprayings in avocado cv. Hass trees using concentrations of 0, 0.3 and 0.5% every fifteen days from the mid September 2003 until early January 2004, resulting in 11 applications. We evaluated nutrient concentration in the leaf, skin and pulp. Results indicated no increase in concentrations of N, P, Km Ca, and Mg in the leaf, skin and pulp during the first year of evaluation. We concluded that the second year presented a Ca increase in skin and pulp, but not in leaf, with residual effect evidence.