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International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (IJPAB)
Year : 2018, Volume : 6, Issue : 6
First page : (970) Last page : (977)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7071

Effect of Foliar Sprays of Nitrogen and Calcium on Fruit Quality Attributes, Yield and Leaf Nutrient Content of Apple

M A Kuchay¹*, Kuruva Mallikarjuna¹ and  Mohammed Tauseef Ali²

¹Department of Fruit Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) 173230
²Department of Fruit Science, Share-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir
*Corresponding Author E-mail: aashiqpomologist@gmail.com
Received: 21.11.2018  |  Revised: 17.12.2018   |  Accepted: 27.12.2018  

 ABSTRACT

The effect of foliar spray of nitrogen and calcium-containing fertilizers on several fruit quality attributes, yield and leaf nutrient content of Apple Cv. "Red Delicious" was investigated. Trees were planted at 5x6 meters in a private orchard at Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The experiment involved two foliage sprays, first spray was applied one month after petal fall and second was one and half months after petal fall. The treatments were comprised: control (sprayed with water), 0.5 % Urea, 0.5% Calcium nitrate and 0.5% Urea + 0.5% Calcium nitrate. Application of 0.5% N + 5% calcium significantly increased the fruit length (7.95 cm), fruit diameter (7.93 cm), fruit weight (214.42 g), fruit acidity (0.90%) and yield (127.96 Kg tree/tree). The maximum TSS (13.48 oBrix) and total sugars (9.88 %) were obtained in fruits when treated with 0.5% Urea followed by 0.5% Urea + 0.5% Calcium nitrate.  Calcium nitrate 0.5% significantly increased fruit firmness (8.64 Kg/ cm2) and total phenol (162.02 mg GAE/100 g FW). Foliar spray of nitrogen in combination with calcium significantly increased the Ca content in apples and also increased N, K and Ca in the leaves as compared to the control. It could be concluded that application of two sprays of urea and calcium nitrate at an interval of 40 days during the early fruit development stages of apple.

Key words: Red Delicious apple, Urea, Calcium nitrate, Quality, Yield

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782

Cite this article: Kuchay, M. A., Mallikarjuna, K., Tauseef Ali, M., Effect of Foliar Sprays of Nitrogen and Calcium on Fruit Quality Attributes, Yield and Leaf Nutrient Content of Apple, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci.6(6): 970-977 (2018). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7071