EFFECT OF NPK COMPOUND FERTILIZER AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF IRON , GIBBERELLIC ACID ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF SALEMY POMEGRANATE CULTIVAR (Punica granatum L.) 3. THE QUALITY AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FRUIT

Abstract

This investigation had been conducted in an special orchard in Al-Hawija town Kirkuk governorate for two growing seasons during 2005 and 2006 growing seasons in order to study the effect of NPK fertilizer and foliar application of iron and gibberellic acid (GA3) and their interactions on the chemical characteristics of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) trees CV. Salemy (local variety) .The trees were fertilized with compound fertilizer (NPK) at rates of (0 , 440 and 880) Kg/Hectare , and were sprayed with iron (Fe –EDDHA) which contains 6% Fe at rates of (0 , 100 and 200) mg Fe/l . While the gibberellic acid (GA3) used at rates of (0 , 100 and 200) mg GA3/l . The results of the experiments are summarized as follows: Adding of 880 kg NPK/Hectare caused a significant decreased of (TSS), the total acidity (TA), the percentage of reducing sugars (glucose, and fructose) and anthocyanin pigments in the berries. Foliar application with 200 mg Fe/l caused a significant increase in (TSS), total acidity (TA), percentage of reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) and anthocyanin pigments in the berries. Spraying with 200 mgGA3/l. caused decreasing the percentage of (TSS), (TA), reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) and caused a significant increase in anthocyanin pigments in the berries for the first season.