Response of Manfalouty Pomegranate Trees to Foliar Spray with Different Sources of Calcium

Abstract

T HIS study was done to investigate the effect of foliar application with different sources of calcium namely, calciven (liquid calcium product by central laboratory of organic agriculture), calcium carbonate and calcium chloride on yield and fruit quality of Manfalouty pomegranate cultivar during 2020 and 2021 seasons at the Experimental Orchard, Assiut Agriculture research station. Foliar sprays were applied three times: in April at full bloom, in June two months after fruit set and at one month later (July). Results indicated that, all treatments significantly increased total yield compared to the control, however all experimental treatments reduced the fruit cracking and sunburn percentages, this decrements were significantly, the lowest fruit cracking was recorded due to calciven followed by calcium chloride. In addition all treatments significantly increased weight, length, diameter of fruit, and juice percentage compared to the control. In addition, calcium chloride and calciven were superior to calcium carbonate for improved most of the fruit chemical and physical properties, It could be recommended that spraying Manfalouty pomegranate trees with different sources of calcium was necessary to reduce the fruit cracking and sunburn percentages, increasing total yield, marketable yield and improve fruit quality.