Effect of Foliar Application of Potassium Sources on Quality of Peach (Prunus persica L.) cv. Shan-i-Punjab Fruit

The aim of present study was to study the effect of foliar spray of different nutrients (potassium sulphate, potassium nitrate and potassium orthophosphate) on physic-chemical attributes in peach cv. Shan-i-Punjab at different concentrations. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications having one tree per replication. The treatments were applied as foliar spray in the end of March. The maximum fruit weight (83.54g) and fruit length (62.8 mm) was recorded in KNO3 (3%), closely followed by KNO3 (2%) i.e. (81.27 g and 62.20 mm) respectively, Foliar spray of KNO3 (2%) resulted into maximum fruit diameter (62.40 mm) as compared to all other treatments. Maximum shape index (1.06) was observed with foliar spray of KH2PO4 (2%). The physical quality of fruits with respect to stone weight, pulp weight, pulp stone ratio and pulp thickness was found maximum with foliar spray of KNO3 @ 3.0% i.e. (9.32g, 74.22g, 7.96 and 1.93 mm) respectively, Minimum fruit firmness and fruit acidity was observed in foliar spray of K2SO4 (2%) i.e. (6.96 kg/cm2 and 0.89%) respectively, while foliar spray of K2SO4 @ 1.5% resulted into maximum mean TSS i.e. (8.20%). High skin color was observed with foliar spray of K2SO4 (1.5 and 2.0%). Foliar spray of KNO3 at (2.0 and 3.0%) resulted into mean fruit ascorbic acid (9.32 mg/100 g fruit pulp).