Effect of foliar application of some micronutrients and growth regulators on fruit drop, yield, fruit quality and leaf mineral content of Mesk mango cv. trees.
Ebeed S., El-Gazzar A., Bedier R.
Author Affiliation: Horticultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Annals of Agricultural Science, Moshtohor 39 : 1279-1296
Abstract : An experiment was carried out during 1997-98 in Giza, Egypt to investigate the effect of spraying with some micronutrients and growth substances (Fe, Zn, Mn, Fe+Mn, Fe+Zn, Mn+Zn, Fe+Zn+Mn, PP333 [paclobutrazol] at 300 ppm and NAA at 40 ppm) on number of fruits per panicle, fruit drop, tree yield, fruit quality and leaf mineral content of mango cv. Mesk. Spraying the trees with the different micronutrients and growth substances significantly increased fruit number per panicle compared to the control. Spraying the trees with Fe+Zn+Mn, Fe+Mn and NAA had a beneficial effect on reducing fruit drop percentage. Spraying the trees with NAA, PP333 and Fe+Zn+Mn increased tree yield, fruit weight, pulp weight, and pulp/fruit weight. Zn or Mn spray proved to be effective in increasing total soluble solids (TSS) and TSS/acid ratio of fruit juice. The treatments significantly increased total sugar percentage in fruit pulp. Leaf Fe, Mn and Zn contents increased with foliar sprays of Fe+Zn+Mn, PP333 and NAA.