Effect of Different Levels of Soil and Foliar Application of Micro-Nutrients Fertilizer on Toffahy and Balahy Indian Ber Trees (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk) Grown in Sandy Soil

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute. Agriculture Research Center.

2 Horticulture Research Institute. Agriculture Research Center.

3 Horticulture Research Station, Seds, Horticulture Research Institute. Agriculture Research Center

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted in seasons 2007 and 2008 on Indian ber trees (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk) to evaluate the effect of fertilizing Toffahy and Balahy varieties with micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) on some vegetative and fruits characters and on leaves and fruits mineral content. Two varieties (Toffahy and Balahy), four treatments of micronutrients combinations and two methods of application (soil and foliar application) distributed randomly in a randomized block design with three replicates were used in a farm west of Alexandria, Nubaria sector. The results showed that, length of secondary shoots, total leaf chlorophyll and leaf area increased by increasing rates of application and that soil application was more pronounced than foliar one. At the same time, the dry weight of leaves did not response to either soil or foliar application of micronutrients. Moreover, Toffahy variety responded to micronutrients addition more than Balahy one. Fruit characters as height, diameter, weight, size and firmness responded significantly to micronutrients addition, while weight of seeds did not show any response to those additions. Total soluble solids (%TSS) and acidity in the first season showed significant response to micronutrients addition, while vitamin C was contrary to them. DTPA- extractable Mn, Zn and Fe responded significantly to soil application while Cu showed no response. At the same time, Cu responded similar to Zn and Fe in leaves while Mn did not respond. Once again, Cu had not responded in fruits while the three other elements showed highly response to micronutrient additions. In all cases, soil applied micronutrients increased their concentration in leaves and fruits more than foliar application except Cu.

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