Response of boron application on fruit cracking, yield and quality of pomegranate

Abstract:

A field study was carried out to determine the effect of boron sprays on fruit cracking in pomegranates. Different treatments were taken i.e. T1: Single spray of borax (0.3%) in Ist week of May, T2: Two sprays of borax (0.3%) – Ist week of May and first week of June, T3: Three sprays of borax (0.3%) (3rd week of April, Ist week of May and last week of May), T4: Four sprays of borax (0.3%) (3rd week of April, Ist week of May and last week of May and 2nd week of June) and T5: Control (water spray) with four replications under randomized block design. The results of the study revealed a significant increase in yield, TSS, and a decrease in acidity and fruit cracking of pomegranate. However, four sprays of borax (0.3%) during (the 3rd week of April, Ist week of May, and last week of May and 2nd week of June) proved to be the best treatment in reducing the fruit cracking in pomegranate by 73.9% over control. Thus, it can be concluded that the effect of boron on pomegranate not only reduces fruit cracking but improves yield and TSS. The challenges faced during the research work was extreme variations in day and night temperatures.