Pomegranate Trees Research Articles

Response of Manfalouty Pomegranate Trees to Foliar Spray with Different Sources of Calcium

Response of Manfalouty Pomegranate Trees to Foliar Spray with Different Sources of Calcium

Investigation on the chemical properties of some pomegranate cultivars (Punica granatum L.) grown in the Messaad Algerian arid region under drip irrigation

In Messaad a city, of Algeria central region, under arid climate, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the main fruit crops in agricultural systems after apricot. To examine the ability of transformation and direct consumption, a chemical analysis study of pomegranate juice was conducted on fruits of three pomegranate cultivars: Khadraye KH1, Hamraye HM1, Senin Alouj SL1 from the drip-irrigated Messaad orchards. A study of chemical properties such as pH, titratable acidity TS, total solids TSS, crude fibers CF of pomegranate seed juices was carried out from the fruits of three cultivars. Descriptive statistics, analyze of variance and Principal Component Analysis based on quantitative parameters are used. The cultivars Senin Aloudj SL1 and Khadraye KH1 of Messaad are characterized as sweet with respectively 1.80 and 1.84% of crude fiber content. The cultivar Hamraye HM1 is qualified sour-sweet to sweet with 2.10% crude fiber rate. The SL1 and KH1 are suitable for the consumption in fresh and can be object of food transformation to which is added the therapeutic and medicinal interest that confers the pomegranate tree whereas the HM1 apart from its consumption can be used as excellence to food transformation in various products. The findings presented in this work justify the interest of germplasm variability not only for it fresh consumption and processing, but also in the broad sense of valorization and preserving phytogenetic resources for agriculture and food locally threatened.

Physicochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits as affected by foliar application of potassium and zinc

Foliar application of mineral nutrients can considerably improve fruit yield and quality. In this study, the effects of K and Zn application by spraying on leaf mineral contents, and some physical and biochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits cv. ‘Malas Saveh’ were investigated. The mineral treatments were three concentrations of K2SO4 (0, 1, and 2%) and three concentrations of ZnSO4 (0, 0.5, and 1%). The solutions were applied in 2020–2021 and in four times: the first application was during the time of flowering and rest three applications were applied at two-week intervals. The results showed that leaves of trees fed with different concentrations of K2SO4 and ZnSO4 accumulated higher concentrations of N, P K, Zn, Fe, and Mn than those untreated. Pomegranate trees treated with the mineral treatments had higher chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll. Applying most mineral treatments, especially 2% K2SO4+0.5% ZnSO4, significantly increased the fruit yield, fruit diameter, fruit length, aril percentage, aril/skin, the weight of 100 arils, and juice content of 100 g arils, but reduced the cracking percentage, skin thickness, skin percentage and firmness of fruits. Moreover, fruits of pomegranate trees treated with the most mineral treatments and especially 2% K2SO4+0.5% ZnSO4, showed a greater level of TSS (total soluble solids), TSS/TA (total soluble solids/titratable acidity), anthocyanin, total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, and vitamin C, and a lower level of TA. The study results evidenced that K and Zn application by spraying has a high potential for improving fruit yield and quality of pomegranate.

Effects of thiobacillus bacteria on physiology and vegetative growth of pomegranate

The climate change and consequent degradation of soil and water resources have led to difficult conditions for farmers; thus, they should make intelligent decisions to face these statuses. Managing soil nutrient and mineral uptake by plants and its feasibility under harsh environment must be considered. Therefore, the present research was conducted to investigate the response of pomegranate variety Shishe Kab to Thiobacillus bacteria (B) and sulfur (S) fertilization. Treatments included sulfur fertilization (three levels: 0, 500 and 1000 g−1 tree) and inoculation with Thiobacillus bacteria (two levels: inoculated and non-inoculated). Totally, sulfur fertilization and inoculation with bacteria improved physiological and biochemical aspects and fruit production of pomegranate. Supplying S decreased soil pH, which the lowest value (5.2) was recorded in 500 g S tree−1 when accompanied with bacteria. Soil electrolyte leakage (EL) increased, when sulfur incorporated or when bacteria added to the soil. The interactive effects of B × S was significant on fruit diameter and weight, chlorophyll (Chl), carotenoid and potassium content, which were improved, although non-inoculated plants also showed high values of potassium content. Anthocyanin and total carbohydrate improved when bacteria inoculation was done; however, total acidity (TA) and total soluble solids (TSS) showed a significant decrease. The EL variable significantly decreased and tissue water content increased in this experiment, when inoculation or sulfur fertilization was used. The results obtained from present study emphasized on the necessity of using sulfur and Thiobacillus bacteria in increasing growth and yield and also chilling tolerance of pomegranate trees.

Response of "Salakhani" Pomegranate Trees to Spraying with Moringa Leaves Extract, Garlic, and Turmeric

The present study during seasons in 2022 to study the extracts effect of moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves at (2-, 4-, and 6-ml l-1), garlic (Allium sativum) cloves (5, 10, and 15 ml l-1), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) at (5, 10, and 15 ml l-1) sprayers on Salakhani pomegranate. Thirty uniform trees were selected, and each tree was considered as an experimental unit using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results showed that spraying pomegranate trees with moringa leaves extract with 2 and 6 ml l-1 and all doses of turmeric extract significantly increased surface area and dry weight of leaf, except 6-ml L-1 and 15 ml l-1 of morenga leaves extract of turmeric extract increased leaf dry weight non-significantly compared to the control. As well as all garlic clove extract levels increased the surface area and dry weight of the leaf significantly compared to the control. Moreover, all plant extract treatments were effective in increasing the number of fruits and yield per tree compared to the control. Additionally, most plant extract treatments improved all chemical parameters including total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, total sugar, and anthocyanin content as compared to the control.

Pomegranate's (Punica granatum L.) fruit quality and nutrient content are influenced by soil fraction × root architecture interaction

AbstractAmong the most important factors influencing plant nutrient uptake and water access are soil fraction and root architecture. However, little is known about how soil fraction × root architecture interaction affects woody plants. This study considered the differentiation of soil fertility parameters on layers through the root zone of two different soils and the quality and nutrient responses of three newly bred pomegranate varieties to soil fractions based on root architecture in clay and clay loam orchards. According to the findings, increasing clay content in the deeper layers has a negative impact on soil fertility, organic matter, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In clayey conditions, pomegranate varieties yielded lower in a range of 2.74% to 6.10% and significantly lower macro and micronutrient insertion. Conversely, the shallow‐rooted variety accumulated significantly more boron (B) and P and set 50% more fruits in the clayey orchards. Soil fractions × root architecture significantly altered fruit quality characteristics, nutrient ingredients, and their relationships supported by a relatively low linear relationship in the Mantel test (r = 0.42). This study suggests that pomegranate tree responses to soil fractions are determined by root architecture. A proper approach to obtaining high‐quality and nutritionally fortified pomegranates will incorporate appropriate cultivation techniques, such as suitable fertigation regime regulation, harvest date optimization, and soil organic matter enrichment, to provide uniform nutrient uptake based on the soil type and variety's root architecture.

Impact of Natural stimulates and Antioxidant compounds on fruit quality and quantity of pomegranate trees cv. H116

This experiment was carried out during two seasons (2022 and 2023) to examine the effect of spraying pomegranate trees cv. H116 with extract algae at (2cm/l), salicylic acid at (0.5 g/l) and ascorbic acid at (0.5 g/l) either alone or in combination together on productivity, fruit properties and leaf mineral content. All treatments were applied as a foliar three times: at full blooming, after fruit sit and after 30 days from fruit set. The results showed that all treatments caused a significant increase in the yield and the leaf mineral content of trees compared to the control. Treated pomegranate trees with 0.5 g/l ascorbic acid + 0.5 g/l salicylic acid was the best treatment for enhancing the yield (kg), fruit weight (g) and fruit peel (%). Foliar l application on pomegranate trees with (2 cm/l algae extract + 0.5 g/l ascorbic acid + 0.5 g/l salicylic acid) was the best treatment in this study to improve the fruit juice content and its quality and obtain maximum leaf content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Determining the optimal combination of production factors in pomegranate production farms in Diyala Province-Iraq: An analytical study for the season 2022

This study aimed to analyze the reality of pomegranate production in Diyala Governorate - Iraq for the season 2022 using the Cobb-Douglas function model, with the aim of achieving optimization in production through the Lagrange method. The production function it estimated for a sample of pomegranate orchards, the function included production, as a dependent factor and each of labor, capital, and area are independent factors. The optimal combination of productive factors that achieve the optimal production volume reached (6.985) tons / hectare in the short-run. The total cost function was also estimated, including the optimal production volume in the long- run, which reduces costs, reaching (30.8) tons / hectare, which is achieved by exploiting the optimal area of the orchard, which amounted to (32.667) hectare. While the long-run profit-maximizing production reached (21.077) tons/hectare, it was recommended to use the optimal combination of production factors that have been reached, which achieve optimal production that reduces costs, and then increase the areas planted with pomegranate trees in the long-run in the study region.

Studies on Variable Level of N Fertigation on Growth, Yield and Quality of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kandhari Kabuli

A field trial was conducted to study the effect of variable level of N along with recommended dose of P and K through fertigation on growth, yield and quality parameters of pomegranate on eleven year old pomegranate trees cv. Kandhari Kabuli under mid hill conditions of HP. Treatment consisted of five levels of Nitrogen fertilizer 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% along with 100% recommended dose of P and K through fertigation and conventional method of fertilizer application (with recommended dose of NPK) kept as control. Fertigation treatments had a promising effect over conventional method and treatment of 75% RD of N and RD of P and K through fertigation proved significant over other fertigation treatments and conventional method. Highest tree growth parameters, fruit set, fruit retention, average fruit weight and yield was recorded highest for 75% RD of N and RD of P and K through fertigation. Physico-chemical fruit characteristics viz. highest TSS, lower acidity, highest TSS acid ratio, highest sugars and ascorbic acid content (Vit. C) was also recorded for 75% RD of N and RD of P and K.

Nano-enhanced growth and resilience strategies for Pomegranate cv. Wonderful: Unveiling the impact of zinc and boron nanoparticles on fruit quality and abiotic stress management

The pomegranate fruit is an extremely popular fruit that is grown in various regions around the world. Pomegranate cv. Wonderful confronts severe abiotic stress disorders, like fruit cracking and sunburn, which decrease fruit quality. Nanoparticles offer potential for improving nutrient usage efficiency and lowering undesirable environmental repercussions. During three consecutive stages of development, namely the peak flowering stage, six weeks after peak flowering, and one month prior to harvest, magnificent pomegranate trees were subjected to separate applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and boron oxide nanoparticles (B2O3NPs) at concentrations of 0, 250, 500, and 1000 parts per million (ppm). These treatments were carried out in both the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. Positive effects were observed at concentrations of 500 and 1000 ppm for ZnONPs and a concentration of 1000 ppm for B2O3NPs on the vegetative growth parameters such as shoot length, leaf area, leaves number per shoot, and canopy volume, besides, leaf chemical characteristics such as leaf chlorophyll concentration and leaf nutrient content such as of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and boron (B). Spraying with 500 and 1000 ppm B2O3NPs reduces the percentage of fruit sunburn, cracking and increased fruiting percentage such as initial fruit set (%), fruit retention (%), total yield of fruits (kg/tree), and increasing yield (%), while fruit drop % was decreased in comparison to other treatments. In both seasons, T4 (22.37, 22.0 %) and T7 (18.74, 19.490 %) showed an increase in initial fruit set (%). Similarly, there was an increase in fruit retention (%) with T4 (33.08, 34.550 %) and T7 (29.13, 29.430 %) compared to the control. The highest yield increasing percentages were observed with T4 (98.88, 100.270 %) and T3 (66.65, 64.980 %) compared to the control. On the other hand, T4 (8.24, 8.04 %) had the lowest fruit cracking, followed by T7 (12.73, 9.9 %) in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Similarly, the lowest percentage of sunburned fruit was observed with T4 (20.47, 20.4 %) and T4 (18.43, 16.77 %) in the two seasons compared to the control. In general, our findings indicate that the application of ZnONPs and B2O3NPs on fully bloomed wonderful pomegranate trees, six weeks after full bloom, and one month prior to harvest, resulted in enhanced growth and yield. Additionally, this treatment exhibited a reduction in abiotic stress-related issues, such as fruit cracking and sunburn.

Molecular Characterization of Neoscytalidium spp. The Cause of Wilting of Branches and Blackening of the Stem

The study was conducted in the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering Sciences in the laboratories of the Plant Protection Department 2019, with the aim of diagnosing the pathogen of Branch Wilt and blackening of stems, outwardly and molecularly. The results of isolation from infected Malus domestica, Morus alba, Punica granatum, Citrus sinensis, C. aurantium, Ficus elastic, Ficus benjamina, Ricinus communis and Populus euphratica trees showed that twelve isolates of Neoscytalidium spp. were obtained. As a percentage of the frequency of the fungus in the visited orchards of apple trees (Al-Tarmiya and Saffronia) and berries (Al-Tarmiya) 88.9%, and in pomegranates (Al-Tarmiya) and sour oranges(Al-Jadriya) 66.6%, while the lowest frequency was recorded in orange trees (Al-Jadriya), which amounted to 33.3%. The results of the nucleotide sequencing of the isolates of the fungus Neoscytalidium spp. The presence of three types of fungi: N. novaehollandiae isolated from apple, Morus and pomegranate trees, Ficus, Castor and N. dimidiatum isolated from apple and Morus trees, Populus and N. hyalinum isolated from apple, orange, sour orange and ficus trees. The apple isolates 1, 2, and 3, Morus isolate 1, the pomegranate isolate, and the Ficus isolate showed a 100% congruence rate, while the Morus 2, orange, ficus, and Populus isolates showed a congruence rate of 99%, while the orange isolate congruence 98%, and the Castor isolate recorded a congruence rate of 97% with the isolates. Global registered in the International Gen Bank. The nucleotide sequences of the three species N. hyalinum, N. novaehollandiae, and N. dimidiatum in the International Genebank Organization, and this is the first record of these species in Iraq on the hosts isolated from them in this study.

Response of Pomegranate Trees to Herd Manure Addition and Spraying with Fulvic Acid and Brassinolide

This experiment was conducted on “Salemy” pomegranate cultivar, ten years old, in two private orchards in Tikrit, village of Albu Hayaa’a, and governorate of Kirkuk - Hawija district, village of Suleiman al-Gharb, for agricultural season 2022, to study the effects of adding herd waste, fulvic acid spraying, and growth regulator Brassinolide on vegetative growth, yield, leaves, and kernels’ nutrient content. The experiment was applied with three factors; first factor is addition of herd waste (O) and in three levels is without the addition of (O0) and addition of 5 kg.tree-1 (O5) and addition of 10 kg.tree-1 (O10), second factor is spraying fulvic acid (F) with two concentrations, without spraying (F0) and a concentration of 4 g.L-1 (F4), and third factor is spraying with three concentrations of plant growth regulator brassinolide (B), without spraying (B0) and 0.15 mg.L-1 (B0.15) and a concentration of 0.3 mg.L-1 (B0.3). The treatments were designed as a factorial experiment according to randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) with three replications and one tree for one experimental unit. The experimental results showed that herd manure fertilizers at 10 kg.Tree-1(O10) significantly increased in shoot length of 55.44 and 72.47 cm, highest leaf area of 6.28 and 7.55 cm2, leaf nitrogen content of 1.522 and 1.594 % and highest leaf phosphor content of 0.357 and 0.430 %, for locations of Tikrit and Hawija, respectively. Results also showed that fulvic acid spray especially at 4 g.L-1 (F4), showed significant superiority in increased in shoot length of 54.97 and 69.23 cm, leaf area of 6.21 and 7.24 cm2, leaf nitrogen content of 1.516 and 1.596 % and leaf phosphor content of 0.351 and 0.412 % for locations of Tikrit and Hawija, respectively. Brassinolide spray also affected, especially spraying at 0.3 mg.L-1 and gave highest increasing of shoot length of 54.84 and 73.73 cm, highest leaf area of 6.19 and 7.78 cm2, leaf nitrogen content of 1.547 and 1.627 % and highest leaf phosphor content of 0.377 and 0.439 % for locations of Tikrit and Hawija, respectively. Twice and triple interactions between study factors had a significant effect in these traits.

Effect of Adding with Organic Nutrient (Complex-Groop) and Spraying with Kinetin on Some Characteristics of Vegetative Growth and Yield of Pomegranate Trees Punica granatum L. Cv. Salimi

The study was conducted in a private orchard in Owainat region in Tikrit city of Salah al-Din Governorate - Iraq, during the growing season 2022. To study the effect of adding the organic nutrient Complex-Groop at three concentrations (0, 125, 250) g Tree−1 in two batches, the first on 2/15 and the second on 5/15 – 2022, and spraying with growth regulator of Kinetin at three concentrations (0, 75, 150) ml L−1 with three sprays during the growing season, where the first spray was on 3/15, the second on 4/15, and the third on 5/15 on some characteristics of vegetative growth and yield of Pomegranate trees Salimi cultivar. The experiment was carried out according to the randomized complete block design as a factorial experiment with three replications and two trees for each experimental unit. The results were summarized as follows: The addition of the organic nutrient Complex-Groop at two concentrations of 125 and 250 g Tree−1 resulted in a significant increase in leaf area and chlorophyll content. The interaction between the levels of the organic nutrient and the growth regulator Kinetin significantly affected all the studied traits.

Unraveling the mechanisms behind salt stress alleviation and enhanced fruit storability in pomegranate through triacontanol treatment

Salt stress is a significant factor that leads to various detrimental effects on pomegranate trees. This study was undertaken with the primary objective of developing a treatment strategy aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of salinity in fields, and its negative reflections on the post-harvest quality of pomegranate fruit. At the commencement of the study, we utilized response surface methodology (RSM) to assess a range of triacontanol (TRA) concentrations along with different spray frequencies. Our investigation revealed that applying 10 and 20 µM TRA three times proved to be the most effective treatments. Accordingly, the effect of these concentrations was studied in depth. The treatment with TRA at concentrations of 10 and 20 µM demonstrated significant positive effects. TRA effectively mitigated the harmful impacts of salinity, preserved the plant's nutrient and antioxidant content, and led to an increase in productivity. Moreover, TRA treatments had a notable effect on enhancing post-harvest storability of fruits during storage at 5 ̊C and 90 % RH for 12 weeks. TRA treatments resulted in higher concentrations of mineral nutrients (N, P, K, and Ca), porphyrin concentration, relative water contents, activities of CAT, POD, and SOD, glycine betaine, proline, amino acids, total phenolics, and total carbohydrates, additionally, TRA treatments led to increased fruit weight and fruit yield compared to the control group. Moreover, TRA treatments attained lower hydrogen peroxide, membrane permeability, malondialdehyde, Na, and Cl compared with control. Indeed, the positive effects of TRA treatments extended to fruit storability. TRA treatments resulted in a notable decrease in the percentage of decay, weight loss, and softness. Furthermore, TRA treatments demonstrated efficacy in preserving TSS, husk color, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin content in the arils. These combined benefits highlight the potential of using TRA as a practical and effective method to alleviate salt stress and enhance pomegranate fruit storability.

A Machine Learning Approach to Pomegranate Leaf Disease Identification

Pomegranate is a fruit with the highest yield and the greatest geographic distribution in Asia. On the other hand, the plants are susceptible to a diverse range of illnesses as a consequence of a number of factors, which leads to the total destruction of the plants and a harvest that is significantly reduced. In order to avoid reductions in agricultural output, it is necessary to diagnose plant diseases as quickly as is practically possible. It is a difficult and time-consuming task to manually monitor the progress of diseases on pomegranate leaves. Therefore, Deep Learning is utilised in the diagnosis of diseases affecting pomegranate trees (DL). The goal of this study is to develop an algorithm for automatically diagnosing diseases affecting pomegranate plants based on images of the plant's leaf structures. The process of a disease detection system includes the gathering of data, the analysis of that data, the categorization of gathered images, and their subsequent deployment. The Mendeley database is utilised in order to generate images of pomegranate leaves in both healthy and diseased states. After that, the original, unaltered raw image is polished. Two different DL models, AlexNet and VGG-16, are put to use in this classification technique. To determine the optimal model, it is necessary to do accurate and loss-oriented measurements. According to the measurements, AlexNet does a good job of recognising diseases that affect leaf tissue. Later, an AlexNet-based smartphone app is developed to assist farmers in performing disease detection on pomegranates without the assistance of professionals. This software is intended to help farmers save time and money.

Searching for a deficit irrigation strategy to save water and improve fruit quality without compromising pomegranate production

Deficit irrigation (DI) strategies have frequently studied in drought resistant crops to optimise water-use-efficiency and save water. Four different DI strategies were studied in fifteen-year-old pomegranate trees (Punica granatum (L.) cv. Mollar de Elche) during the season of 2021: irrigation at 120 % of ETc during the whole season (control, C); irrigation at 50 % of ETc during the whole season (SDI); irrigation at 50 % of ETc during the linear fruit growth phase (RDIfg) and irrigation at 25 % of ETc during the ripening phase (RDIr). The effects of DI treatments on water relations, gas exchange, canopy temperature, yield and fruit quality were analysed. Water status of pomegranate responded closely to changes in soil water content. The reduction of leaf osmotic potential and leaf osmotic potential at full turgor to SDI, RDIfg and RDIr treatments indicated an osmotic adjustment. The stem water potential and the crop water stress index were more sensitive to water stress than gas exchange. SDI treatment increased non-marketable fruit weight and number. Nevertheless, RDIfg treatment could be considered a non-critical period because of the low sensitivity to water stress of trees, yield maintenance and the increase of nutritional organic compounds in fruits, saving 27 % of irrigation water. The application of RDIr produced the highest content of bioactive compounds, saving 8 % of water saving with a slight increase of non-marketable fruit number and weight. This suggests that the intensity and duration in which the deficit irrigation was applied could set the threshold irrigation conditions above which pomegranate production could be negatively affected.

Nondestructive estimation of pomegranate tree biomass by using allometric equation

Nondestructive estimation of pomegranate tree biomass by using allometric equation

Conventional vs. nano-micronutrients as foliar fertilization for enhancing the quality and nutritional status of pomegranate fruits

Currently, nanotechnology is widely used in agriculture and horticulture. Nanofertilizers are essential for encouraging vegetative growth and flowering, as well as enhancing productivity and fruit quality. These nanoparticles are viewed as growth promoters as well. The current study was therefore carried out during the two successive seasons of 2021 and 2022 on 14-year-old trees grown in clay soil in a field experiment at the Pomology Department Research orchard, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt. The effects of conventional vs. nano-micronutrients as foliar fertilizers on the fruit yield, quality, and mineral nutrition status of pomegranate trees were studied. The foliar application of all treatments on pomegranate trees remarkably increased yield and physical properties of fruits as well as improved the levels of total soluble solids percentage, anthocyanin pigment, flavonol, total phenols, antioxidant activity and nutrients status compared with the controls during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The lowest fruit cracking percentages were obtained by the spraying of nano-micronutrients (4.33–5.70 %) compared with the other treatments and the control, which gave the highest percentages (10.45–11.43 %). The highest increments in yield, physical properties of fruits and levels of total soluble solids percentage, anthocyanin pigment, flavonol, total phenols, and antioxidant activity were noticed by the spraying of nano-micronutrients especially at 1000 and/or 1500 µg mL−1. It could be concluded that the use of nanofoliar fertilization in pomegranate cultivation may improve the yield, quality, and nutritional status of pomegranate fruits.

Improvement of Fruit Quality and Phytochemical Components of Pomegranate by Spraying with B2O3 and ZnO Nanoparticles

Pomegranate is one of the most important and widely distributed trees. Boron and zinc are important nutrients for plant growth and fruit quality. Nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most innovative scientific fields in agriculture. This study was conducted to describe the changes in the physiochemical characteristics (weight, diameter, length, firmness and color), as well as the phytochemicals attributes (total phenolics, total flavonoids, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and antioxidant %) and minerals contents, of pomegranates fruits of the ‘Wonderful’ cultivar as a result of spraying pomegranate trees using nanomaterials (zinc oxide (ZnONPs) and boron oxide (B2O3NPs)). In three successive developmental stages (full bloom, 6 weeks after full bloom and one month before harvest time), the trees were sprayed with 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/L ZnONPs, as well as 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/L B2O3NPs during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The application of ZnONPs and B2O3NPs influenced the qualitative characteristics of the fruits in the studied seasons. The highest marketable % was observed for the 0.50 and 1 g/L ZnONPs and 1 g/L B2O3NPs compared to the other treatments. Also, a positive effect was recorded for the ZnONPs and B2O3NPs on the fruits’ physical properties. All of the ZnONP and B2O3NP treatments resulted in increasing the total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid contents and the antioxidant activity in the pomegranate juices. In conclusion, our results suggest that spraying pomegranate trees with ZnONPs and B2O3NPs improves the marketable fruit, enhances the fruit quality and increases the bioactive components and antioxidant activity.

Effect of Irrigation Levels on Growth and Fruiting of Manfalouty Pomegranate Trees Grown in New Reclaimed Region

Effect of Irrigation Levels on Growth and Fruiting of Manfalouty Pomegranate Trees Grown in New Reclaimed Region