Effect of algae extract and yeast application on growth, nutritional status, yield and fruit quality of Keitte mango trees

Abstract

This experiment was carried out during 2008 and 2009 seasons on Keitte mango trees grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system in National Research Centre farm at El-Nobaria district, ElBehiera Governorate, Egypt. Experiment studied the effect of spraying trees with algae extract at ( 0.5, 1 and 2%) + yeast extract at (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2%) at full bloom stage on fruit set, fruit drop, fruit retention, tree yield, fruit quality and leaf mineral content. Results showed that spraying Keitte mango trees once at full bloom with algae at 2% combined with yeast at 0.2% was very effective in improving fruit set, fruit retention, yield as number of fruits or weight (kg) / tree and increased fruit length (cm), fruit width (cm), fruit weight (g), pulp/fruit percentage and enhanced total soluble solids (T.S.S.). Moreover, it reduced fruit drop and weight of peel and seed (g) comparing with the control. This treatment improved nitrogen, potassium and boron contents in the leaves. On the other hand, all treatments had no effect on leaf phosphorus percentage.