Effect of Foliar Application of Boron with Calcium and Potassium on Quality and Yield of Mango cv. Summer Bahisht (SB) Chaunsa

Abstract

Abstract Poor uptake of nutrients not only deteriorates the quality but also the yield of horticultural crops. Among various macro and micronutrients, the role of K, Ca and B is very important. Therefore, balanced application and uptake of K and Ca and B can improve the quality and yield of mango trees. So, a field study was conducted with the hypothesis that combined application of K and Ca along with B would be effective to improve yield and quality of Mango cv. Summer Bahisht (SB) Chaunsa. There were two sources of Ca(CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2) and three sources of K(KNO3, K2SO4 and K-Citrate) combined with boric acid (BA). All Ca and K sources were applied at the rate of 1% while BA was applied at 0.2%. As compared to control, a significant improvement in fruit set panicle-1 (35.7% and 50.0%), fruit retention (125% and 40%), shelf life (73.3% and 36.6%), total soluble solids (35.1% and 40.6%) and fruit yield (52.5% and 49.2%) in 2016 and 2017 respectively, confirmed the effectiveness of KNO3 (1.0%) + BA (0.2%). Between CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2, application of Ca (NO3)2 was found more efficacious regarding improvement of quality and yield of SB Chaunsa. It is concluded that to improve the quality and yield of Mango cv. SB Chaunsa, KNO3 (1.0%) + BA (0.2%) is the best nutrients combination, and Ca(NO3)2 is a better option as compared to CaCl2.