Effect of foliar application of iron and zinc on yield, quality and leaf and fruit ‎nutrients concentrations of apple (Malus domestica cv. Gala)‎

Iron and zinc deficiencies are common in most limy soils of Iran. In order to study the effect of foliar application of iron and zinc on leaf and fruit nutrients concentrations of apple cultivar Gala an experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Horticulture Research Station, University College of Agriculutre & Natural Resources, University of Tehran. The first factor was foliar application of zinc as zinc sulfate at three levels (0, 10 and 100 mg per liter) and the second factor was foliar application of iron as iron chelate at three levels (0, 100 and 1000 mg per liter). Results showed that the foliar application of iron and zinc had a significant effect on yield and leaf and fruit nutrients concentrations and increased the nutrient content of leaves and fruits. According to these results using iron increased yield, weight, iron, zinc and potassium content of leaves and the amount of iron, zinc, potassium, calcium and phosphorus of fruits also increased. Also zinc increased yield, TSS, zinc content of the leaves and the iron and zinc content of fruits. According to the results, the effect of treatments used on the leaves and fruits nitrogen content was not significant. This study showed foliar application of iron and zinc increased yield, quality and leaf and fruit nutrients concentrations of apple cv. Gala.