Effect of Foliar Spray of Micronutrients and Plant Growth Regulators on Flowering, Fruit Set and Fruit Quality of Olive Cultivars (Olea europaea L.)

Abstract

Aim: To determine the effect of different micronutrient applications olive for its growth quality. Study Design: Randomized Block Design was used in experiments. Place and Duration: The present investigation was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during the 2021-2022. Methodology: The use of micronutrients sprays in olive cultivation is a common practice to address nutrient deficiencies, enhance plant health and increase flowering and improve fruit quality. These sprays contain essential minerals like iron, zinc, manganese, and boron, which are readily absorbed by the olive trees through their leaves. Micronutrients sprays help to correct imbalances, improve nutrient uptake, and boost overall growth and fruit development. They are particularly effective in regions with poor soil conditions or where specific micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent, ensuring healthy olive trees and optimal yield of high-quality fruits. Results: Among the various treatments applied to enhance the Flowering, Fruit set, fruit Yield, Fruit quality and Oil quality of Olive cultivars, treatment T10 (Boron @ 150 ppm + Zinc @ ppm + NAA@ 150 ppm + GA3 @ 150 ppm) was found to be superior among others, followed by treatment T5 (Boron @ 100ppm + Zinc @ 100 ppm + NAA @ 100ppm + GA3 @ 100ppm) and treatment T0 (control) was found to be inferior. It is also concluded that among all cultivars, Arbequina cultivar was found best. Thus, treatment T10 (Boron @ 150 ppm + Zinc @ ppm + NAA@ 150 ppm + GA3 @ 150 ppm) with Arbequina cultivar is best recommended for overall flowering and fruiting characters of olive like, days to flowering, number of flowers per panicle, fruit drop percentage, fruit diameter, fruit length, fruit weight, fruit yield per tree, fruit yield per hectare, oil content, total suspended solids (TSS) of fruit. Conclusion: Therefore, T10 (Boron @ 150 ppm + Zinc @ ppm + NAA@ 150 ppm + GA3 @ 150 ppm) with Arbequina cultivar is recommended for growing.