Effect of soil applications anti-salinity agent on growth, yield and fruit quality of superior seedless grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abstract

Grapes rank the top fruit crop all over the world and the second crop after citrus in Egypt. This study aims to elucidate the effect of some anti-salinity agents' application namely magnetic iron, humic acid and Uni-sal on overcome salt hazard that affect grapevines growth and production during the two successive seasons of 2017 and 2018. This study was applied in a private orchard located at Atfih, Giza Governorate, Egypt on five-years old superior seedless grapevines grown in sandy loam soil that irrigated using drip irrigation system. The vineyard was planted at 2 × 3 meters apart and supported to the gable trellis system. Winter pruning system was carried out at the end of December in both seasons using cane pruning system, leaving 112 buds (10 fruiting canes x 10 buds + 6 renewal spurs x two buds). Seven treatments were performed as follows: Control (untreated vines), magnetic iron application at concentration (200 and 250 g/vine), humic acid (7 and 10 L/feddan) and Uni-sal (5 and 7 L/feddan). The obtained results appeared that all treatments had improved all growth parameters. Yield, cluster weight, berry weight and size, total soluble solids, total soluble solids/total acidity were increased. Whereas total acidity was reduced affecting by all treatments as compared with control plants in the two studied seasons. In sum, magnetic iron, humic acid and Uni-sal soil applications alleviated the negative effects induced by salinity stress in Superior Seedless trees productivity, by modulation of distinct growth and yield responses.