Investigating the Effect of Various forms of Zinc on Pomegranate and Pomegranate Juice Characteristics

Pomegranate tree has been originated in east Asia and Iran. The consumption of pomegranate is curative and prevents many sicknesses, therefore pomegranate has a special place in human diet.

In this investigation, the effect of foliar spray application of different forms of Zinc in different concentrations on some characteristics of pomegranate fruit, has been studied. The application of spray was carried out during May and July of 2016. This study was at based on a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and three replications. Zinc sulphate fertilizer and nano-Zn chelate fertilizer were applied in 500, 1000 and 1500 mgl-1 concentrations.

The application of 500 mgl-1 nano-Zn chelate significantly increased fruits grains weight and fresh weight of 100 grains. 1500 mgl-1 ZnSO4 increased the pH, total acidity and ascorbic acid contents of the juice but 500 mgl-1 nano-Zn chelate had a toxic effect on all of the factors and decreased them. 1000 mgl-1 ZnSO4 significantly increased anthocyanin and EC of the juice, although 1500 mgl-1 nano-Zn chelate decreased anthocyanin and 500 mgl-1 nano-Zn chelate decreased EC.TSS and TSS/TA was increased by 500 mgl-1 ZnSO4 whereas 1500 mgl-1 nano-Zn chelate decreased both of them.

Although different concentrations of ZnSO4 fertilizer improve the chemical characteristics of pomegranate fruit, but totally the best foliar spray application is at 500 mgl-1 nano-Zn chelate.