Spraying macro and micro fertilizers affects positively fruit yield and quality of ‘Page’ mandarin

Mohsen MOHAMMAEI; Babak VALIZADEHKAJI

doi:10.14720/aas.2024.120.2.18157

Authors

Mohsen MOHAMMAEI Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University, Arak
Babak VALIZADEHKAJI Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University, Arak

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2024.120.2.18157

Keywords:

Iran, mandarin, spraying fertilizers, foliar fertilization, fruit yield and quality, biochemical attributes of the fruita

Abstract

In the current work, the effects of foliar application of two commercial fertilizers [CalfalB (containing calcium and boron) and Rice (containing macro- and micronutrients)] on leaf minerals, chlorophyll content, yield, and fruit quality, as well as some phytochemical characteristics of mandarins ‘Page’ was investigated for two consecutive years. The solutions were applied three times: mid-June and two more sprays at intervals of 18 days. Based on the results, leaves of fertilized mandarin plants with Rice and CalfalB accumulated higher N, P K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, and Fe concentrations than unfertilized plants. Application of fertilizers, especially Rice, increased significantly the content of chlorophyll a (p < 0.001) and total chlorophyll (p = 0.0013) in the leaves. Trees fertilized with Rice showed a higher percentage of fruit yield, juice, pulp, and rind. Moreover, mandarins treated with fertilizers, especially Rice, had a higher level of TSS (total soluble solids), TSS/TA (titratable acidity), color parameters of the rind [L* (lightness), a* (redness), and b* (yellowness)], vitamin C, phenol compounds, carotenoid, and antioxidant activity. The results of our research work showed that an application of fertilizers containing macro- and microelements by spraying can considerably improve fruit yield and quality of the mandarin ‘Page’, especially in areas with poor soils.

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