Effect of Boron Application on Yield, Quality, and Nutritional Status of Peach Cultivar Andross

Abstract

During the cultivation period of 2005–2007, a project was carried out in the region of Eirinoupolis, prefecture of Imathia, Macedonia, northern Greece. The study investigated the application of boron (B) timing (flowering, fruit set, fruit growth) and method (soil and foliage) on the vegetative growth, fruit yield and quality, and nutritional status of the cling-stone peach variety Andross. The cultivar was grafted onto an 8-year-old rootstock GF 677. The results showed that the greatest marketable yield (135 kg tree^–1) was achieved in peach trees where B was applied on soil during the flowering stage in combination with a balanced nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) basal application. Boron concentration in fruits of that treatment was increased in both cultivation years compared to most of the applied treatments. Foliar application of B at flowering, fruit set, and fruit growth, primarily in combination with foliar calcium (Ca) application, showed fruits to be less affected by cracking and Monilinia over all treatments. However, foliar application of Ca did not significantly promote leaf or fruit Ca concentration.

Keywords:

• Boron
• brown rot
• calcium
• cracking
• fruit
• peach
• quality