INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR SPRAYS OF DIFFERENT POTASSIUM FERTILIZERS ON YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF BALADY MANDARIN TREES

Abstract

The present study was carried out on twenty years old Balady mandarin trees grown in a private orchard at Motobus, Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Egypt during 2019 and 2020 seasons to study the effect of foliar application of different potassium forms i.e. potassium sulphate, potassium humate and potassium silicate at 2, 3 and 4 g/l on nutritional status, yield and fruit quality. Each potassium source was applied in three times at 15 April, 20 May and 24 June. The results showed that potassium sprays especially potassium silicate at 4 g/l had a positive effect on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium percentages, total carbohydrate and total chlorophyll content in the leaves, which reflected on enhanced yield and fruit physical and chemical characteristics compared to control and other treatments. It could be recommended that spraying Balady mandarin trees with potassium silicate at 4g/l three times beginning of 15 April 20 May and 24 June for improve leaves nutritional status and enhance yield and fruit physical and chemical characteristics.