EFFECTS OF CALCIUM AND BORON FOLIAR APPLICATION ON POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L.) FRUIT QUALITY, YIELD, AND SEASONAL CHANGES OF LEAF MINERAL NUTRITION

Abstract

In this study, the effects of calcium and boron foliar sprays on yield, fruit quality and seasonal changes of leaf mineral nutrition were studied during 2011 in Mugla, one of the main pomegranate producing regions in Turkey. Calcium (calcium nitrate 2 and 4%), boron (boric acid 1.5 and 3%) were applied on two occasions (firstly, in full blossoming; secondly, one month post full blossoming). Yield (total yield per tree, total number of fruits, cracking fruit ratio, average fruit weight, average fruit size) and fruit quality (fruit juice pH value, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and vitamin C) were measured. The maximum yield (38.338 kg/tree) was recorded with the application of 2% calcium nitrate, while minimum yield was recorded under 1.5% boron application (20.764 kg/tree). All treatments resulted in increased fruit size, fruit length, fruit weight and fruit juice ascorbic acid content as compared to control.