Effects of calcium chloride on apple fruit quality of trees grown in calcareous soil

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to investigate effects of application rate and timing of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) on fruit quality and control of physiological disorders in ‘Red Delicious’ apple (Malus spp.) grown at five locations in Iran. In first year, the experiment was conducted with three application rates (0, 1%, and 2% CaCl₂, w/v) at two application times for each rate. In second year, four rates of CaCl₂ (0, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, w/v) were applied, and each rate was applied four times. Fruits were kept in regular atmosphere storage at 2°C for 4.5 months. All CaCl₂ treatments, except 0.5% treatment in second year, enhanced fruit firmness at harvest and after storage and resulted in fewer physiological fruit disorders because of higher fruit Ca. Other fruit quality traits and mineral nutrients were not affected by CaCl₂ applications. Calcium chloride at 1 % application was optimum for improving fruit quality.