Yield and Fruit Quality Response of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) to Foliar Spray of Potassium, Calcium and Kaolin

Abstract

To study the effect of potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and kaolin (Aluminum silicate) on pomegranate cv. Wonderful, this study was conducted during 2020–2021 to investigate the possibility of minimizing the percentages of sunburn and fruit cracking and ameliorating the yield and fruit quality of pomegranate during the aforementioned period. Four sprays consisting of potassium nitrate at 1%, 2% and 3%, calcium nitrate at 2%, 3% and 4%, kaolin at 2%, 4% and 6% and water only (control) were sprayed on pomegranate trees during May, July, and August. The results showed that through spraying the fruit at set percentages, fruit yield was greatly increased through the spraying of potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and kaolin, particularly the application of potassium nitrate at 3% and 4% and kaolin at 6% as opposed to than the other percentages. In addition, the percentages of fruit cracking and sunburn were markedly lessened by the application of calcium nitrate at 4% and 6% and also by kaolin at 6%. Moreover, the fruit content from TSS, total sugars and anthocyanin, was improved through the spraying of potassium nitrate at 2% and 3%, whereas the fruit weight and firmness were improved by the application of calcium nitrate at 4% and kaolin at 6%.