Effects of foliar spray organic and micro-macro nutrition elements on yield and fruit characteristics in Apple 'Fuji' and Delbar Estival' cultivars

Apple (Malus Domestica) is one of the most important horticultural crops that each year contributes a lot of the global trade in agricultural productions. Today, the role of different nutrition elements has been identified in increasing the yield and improving the quality of the fruits. Hence, the addition of balanced chemical fertilizers is more effective than other inputs in increasing agricultural production. Therefore, this research was carried out with the aim of investigation effects of some organic and micro-macro nutrition elements on yield and fruit characteristics in apple 'Fuji' and Delbar Estival' cultivars. In this study, effects of some organic and micro-macro nutrition elements on yield and fruit characteristics in apple 'Fuji' and Delbar Estival' cultivars was investigated in two separate experiments in randomized complete blocks design with three replicates per block for each cultivar in 2013-2014. Nutrition treatments included (Thiopher, Takamin Max, Oligogrine, Takamin Max + Oligogrine, Boron + Zinc, Oligogrine +Thiopher, Takamin Max + Boron + Zinc, Thiopher + Boron + Zinc, and Control (without fertilizer)). At the end of the experiment was evaluated fruit qualitative and quantitative characteristics and economic evaluations were carried out for each cultivar separately.
Result and The results showed that all treatments except Thiopher were increased initial fruit set, final fruit set, average fruit weight, average yield per tree and average yield per hectare in both 'Fuji' and Delbar Estival' cultivars significantly compare to the control trees. Fruits tissue firmness was increased only in treatment (Takamin Max + Boron + Zinc), significantly compare to control trees. In general, the highest yield per hectare in both 'Fuji' and Delbar Estival' cultivars was observed in treated trees with (Takamin Max + Boron + Zinc). Fruits quality as well as fruits quantity were increased in this treatment significantly compare to control trees. The highest percentage of TSS and highest rate of fruit tissue firmness and the lowest percentage of acidity (TA) in the both cultivars were observed in treatment (Takamin Max + Boron + Zinc). Totally, treatments (Takamin Max + Boron + Zinc) and (boron + zinc) were increased the quantity and quality of fruits significantly in compare to control, respectively. On the other hand, the results of economic calculations showed that although the highest gross income per product total sale and farmer gross income per yield increased ratio to control in both cultivars were observed in treatment (Takamin Max + Boron + Zinc), But the most of proportion total income to the per-unit cost and income obtained from yield increased ratio to per-unit cost were observed in treatment (boron + zinc). These results indicated that, although in treatment (Takamin Max + Boron + Zinc), gross and net income was increased significantly in compare to treatment (Boron + Zinc), but ratio of income increase per unit of the cost was decreased significantly in compare to treatment (boron + zinc). given that growers in Iran aren’t often willing to pay a great deal of cost at one time, even though their gross and net income increases, Therefore, it can be suggested that they be used treatment of (boron with a concentration of 2/1000 +zinc at a concentration 1/1000) in the balloon stage of flowers for Fuji and Delbar Estival cultivars,.