Effects of foliage application of Salicylic Acid and Gibberellic Acid on the Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Kinnow Mandarin

The use of plant growth regulators to improve the quality of the fruit has long been considered. In order to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (0,1 and 2 mM/ L) and gibberellic acid (0, 50,100 mg / L) and their interaction on some of the characteristics of mandarin Kinnow fruit, experiment with 9 treatments and 3 replications was carried out as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design in Minab city in 1396. Foliar application was carried out in two stage (mature green and changing color). The fruits were harvested and evaluated at the commercial maturity stage. Based on the results, gibberellic acid at concentration of 50 mg/L significantly increased the diameter and length of the fruit. Salicylic acid at a concentration of 2 mM /L caused a significant increase in pulp of fruit. Controlled fruits showed higher soluble solids than other treatments. The highest ratio of sugar to acid was obtained at a concentration of 50 mg/ L gibberellic acid with 2 mM/L salicylic acid. The highest amount of phenol content was observed at a concentration of 2 mM/L salicylic acid (7.14 mg/ g) and the highest amount of flavonoid in concentrations of 50 mg/ L gibberellic acid plus 2 mM/L of salicylic acid (0.420 mg /g FW) was observed. The highest amount of a* (2.35)(redness) was observed at the highest concentration of treatments and the control fruits showed the highest L* (whiteness) value.