Yield and fruit quality of Ziziphus jujuba L. trees as affected by preharvest foliar application of calcium and ascorbic acid

Abstract

The present study was carried out during the seasons of 2014 and 2015 at the Research and Agricultural Experimental Station, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, to investigate the effects of foliar application of CaCl2 at 1 or 2%, Ca(NO3)2 at 0.5 or 1% and ascorbic acid at 50 or 100 ppm on yield and fruit quality of Ziziphus jujuba trees. All treatments were repeated twice (December 15 and January 15) before harvest date in both seasons. Treatments significantly improved yield and fruit physical characteristics (fruit weight, flesh weight, fruit volume, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit firmness) in comparison to untreated control in both seasons. Fruit chemical characteristics (TSS, Acidity, total sugar contents, ascorbic acid, and total chlorophyll) were mostly improved by most tested treatments in both seasons over the control (water only). It can be concluded that foliar application with Ca(NO3)2 at 1% would be the best treatment to obtain highest yield, fruit physical and chemical composition of Z. jujuba.