Impact of Foliar Application of Calcium Nitrate and Chelated Calcium in Combination with Boric Acid on the Vegetative Growth, Yield, Quality Components and Insect Control of Globe Artichoke

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of foliar application calcium nitrate and chelated calcium in three levels (0, 380 and 760 ppm as Ca) in combination with boric acid (85 ppm as B) on the growth, yield, quality, and insect control of globe artichoke cv. Herous in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021seasons at EL-Qanater Research Station Farm in Qalubia Governorate. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with three replicates. Results showed that foliar spraying of calcium nitrate at 760 ppm or chelated calcium at 380 and 760 ppm + boron (85 ppm) resulted in the highest values of vegetative growth, the physical characteristics of early, total yield and the highest head number of early yield. Moreover, spraying Ca NO 3 at (380 ppm) + B or both Ca-EDTA levels + B produced the maximum head number of total yield. The highest dry matter % and inulin content was achieved by spraying Ca NO 3 (760 ppm) + B or both Ca-EDTA levels + B. Spraying Ca-EDTA (380 ppm) + B achieved the highest values of total phenols and phosphorus %. Spraying both Ca NO 3 (760 ppm) + B produced the highest N and protein % as well as both Ca-EDTA levels + B produced the highest K, Ca, and B content of heads. It could be suggested that spraying Ca-EDTA at 380 and 760 ppm + boron at 85ppm were effective for enhancing artichoke production, improving its quality, and defending off three types of aphids.