Effect of Calcium Sources and Their Mode of Application on Growth and Plant Nutrient Uptake of Two Apple Varieties Grown under High Density Planting System

Abstract

Apples grown in Kashmir province are famous globally, but lack of post-harvest storage facilities deteriorate its quality and market acceptability. Calcium deficiency in acid soils deceives apple fruit quality. Calcium helps to reduce the occurrence of physiological disorders; it also plays essential role to improve growth and quality of produce. Modes of calcium application and its different doses on two apple varieties was tested in 3 factorial randomized block design to improve yield and quality at Ambri Apple Research Centre, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, India in 2022. Foliar application of calcium to apple is most effective method for escalating fruit calcium content and quality. Among sources and their mode of application calcium nitrate foliar application at the rate of 3, 4 and 5 gram per litre of water performed better than foliar application of calcium chloride at the rate of 3, 4 and 5 gram per litre of water in improving fruit nutrients and yield of Golden Delicious than Red Chief Camspur, whereas soil application of calcium nitrate showed least response to improve fruit nutrient and yield in both varieties. Fruit length and fruit diameter improved with each enhanced calcium concentration in both varieties by different calcium sources and their mode of application. The partitioning of nutrients in plant leaves and fruits differed significantly, and in both varieties were dependent on applied calcium rates, calcium sources and their mode of application. Calcium nitrate foliar spray performed better than calcium chloride foliar spray or soil application of calcium nitrate in improving fruit growth and quality. Our study did not find any adversity of dosage in plants whether applied as foliar or to soil. The best results were observed in foliar application of calcium nitrate @ 5 g per lit water for all the parameters in both the varieties.  Results of research evidenced that preharvest calcium sprays increase growth and improved fruit quality that led to reduce deterioration in post-harvest storage.