Influence of Anti-Transpirants and Shading Net on Physiological Traits of Malas Saveh Pomegranate Fruit

Recently, new and various methods such as anti-transpiration coatings are used for increasing the quality of pomegranate fruit. In the present study, the effect of antiperspirants and shading net on physiological characteristics of pomegranate fruits of Malas Saveh cultivar was investigated in 2017. The experiment was based on a completely randomized design in three replications with eight treatments including control, talc, zinc oxide, silica, kaolin, TSZ (talc, silica, zinc oxide), TSZK (talc, silica, zinc oxide and kaolin) and shading net. Foliar application of all treatments was carried out at 2% concentration in both late June and early August. Important physiological factors of fruits including color and anthocyanin, vitamin C, and sugars content were evaluated. The results showed that TSZK and talc increased fruit diameter by 5% and 10%, respectively. The shading net reduced fruit sunburn by 100% compared to the control. Shading net, talc and silica caused a five to eight percent increase in vitamin C in comparison to the control. Shading net, talc, kaolin, and TSZ increased fruit TSS by two to three percent. However, the anti-transpiration materials improved some of the fruitchr('39')s qualitative characteristics and improved skin color, reducing the number of burnt fruits by reducing fruit temperature by five to seven centigrade.