Effect of Foliar Fertilization of Boron, Zinc and Iron on Fruit Quality and Leaf Nutrients Content of Peach cv. Shan-e-Punjab

Aims: To study the effect of different micronutrients and number of foliar spray on fruit quality and leaf nutrient content of peach.

Study Design: The experiment comprised of seven treatments and conducted on seven years old plants in Randomized Block Design with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the experimental orchard of Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during the year 2018.

Methodology: The treatments included in the study consisted of three micro-nutrients [T1- ZnSO4 @ 0.2%, T2- ZnSO4 @ 0.3%, T3- FeSO4 @ 0.2%, T4- FeSO4 @ 0.3%, T5- Boric acid @ 0.1%, T6- Boric acid @ 0.2%, T7- Control (water spray)] each applied as foliar spray at different concentration as single and double spray.

Results: The results showed that foliar spray of micronutrients significantly improved quality and leaf nutrient status in peach cv. Shan-e-Punjab. The foliar spray of FeSO4 @ 0.2% (T3) found to be the best treatment with respect to TSS (11.06%), ascorbic acid (8.18 mg/100 g pulp) and leaf iron content (345.51 ppm). The highest TSS: ratio (23.88), leaf zinc content (35.42 ppm) and lowest acidic fruits (0.45%) was observed from the plants sprayed with T1 (ZnSO4 @ 0.2%), whereas, highest leaf boron content (91.02 ppm) was recorded with T6 (Boric acid @ 0.2%). Double foliar spray of micronutrients (Fe, Zn and B) at first week of March + April significantly TSS, TSS: acidity, ascorbic acid, leaf zinc, iron, and boron content and reduced acidity fruits then single foliar spray in first week of March.

Conclusion: The foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% (T1) proved to be best treatment in terms of quality. A double spray of micronutrients (Fe, Zn and B) significantly increased total soluble solids, TSS: acidity, ascorbic acid, leaf (zinc, iron, and boron) content and reduced fruit acidity as compared to single spray.