Effect of different forms of potassium on growth, yield and fruit quality of mango cv. Hindi.
Baiea M. H. M., El-Sharony T. F., El-Moneim E. A. A. A.
Author Affiliation: Horticultural Crops Technology Dep., National Research Centre, 33 El-Behouth st., P.O. 12622, Dokki - Giza, Egypt.
International Journal of ChemTech Research 8 : 1582-1587
Abstract : This study was carried out during two successive seasons of 2013 and 2014 on Hindi mango trees grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system in National Research Centre, Researches and Production Station at El-Nobaria-Behaira Government, Egypt, to study the effect of different potassium forms application i.e. potassium citrate, potassium nitrate, mono-potassium phosphate and di-potassium phosphate at two concentrations (1 and 2%) as a foliar spray for four times at full bloom, after fruit set, during fruit growing (one month ago from fruit set) and before the harvesting (one month from the third spray) on leaves minerals content, vegetative growth, yield as well as some physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits. Results showed that spraying Hindi mango trees four times at full bloom, after fruit set, during fruit growing and before the harvesting with 2% mono potassium phosphate, 2% di-potassium phosphate and 2% potassium nitrate were very effective in improving fruit retention, yield as number of fruits or weight (kg/tree) and increased fruit weight and pulp weight and enhanced total soluble solids (TSS) percentage, total sugars and ascorbic acid content. In addition, it reduced fruit acidity content comparing with the control. Also, spraying mango trees with 2% mono potassium phosphate, 2% di-potassium phosphate and 2% potassium nitrate improved the vegetative parameters and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in the leaves.