Iron nutrition in low chill peach for improving yield and fruit quality

Abstract

Foliar fertilization and microbe supplemented iron (Fe) bioavailability can fulfill iron demand of plants. An experiment was performed to examine the effect of Psuedomonas fluorescens along with foliar spray ferrous sulfate on low-chill peach plants suffering from iron deficiency. Number of leaves per shoot, leaf area, chlorophyl content, Fe: Mn ratio of leaves, fruit yield and fruit physico-chemical parameters were recorded. The results showed a significant increase in leaves chlorophyl content, iron: manganese ratio of leaves, fruit yield, fruit length, fruit breadth, total soluble solids (T.S.S) and T.S.S and acid ratio with the inoculation of Pseudomonas fluorescens as well as foliar spray of ferrous sulfate, whereas, acidity of fruit pulp was decreased. Significantly higher number of leaves per shoot was also noted with foliar spray of ferrous sulfate. Pseudomonas fluorescens inoculation along with foliar spray of ferrous sulfate significantly increased leaves chlorophyl content, fruit length, T.S.S and T.S.S : acid ratio of fruit pulp.

Keywords:

• Ferrous sulfate
• Fruit quality
• Peach
• Psuedomonas fluorescens

Acknowledgments

A very warm thanks to Department of Horticulture, G.B.P.U.A. and T., Pantnagar for providing the necessary facilities to conduct the investigation. A special mention also to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for providing the financial support as ICAR’s All India Competitive Examination for Senior Research Fellowship (PGS)-2014.