Effect of Different Sources and Concentrations of Pre-harvest Calcium and Boron Sprays on the Quality and Yield of Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.)

Afield study was carried out by KVK, Anantnag to determine the effect of different sources and concentrations of calcium and boron on yield and quality of apple cv. Red Delicious. Boron was sprayed at pink bud stage and at petal fall stage, whereas calcium at walnut stage and next two sprays at three weeks interval after first spray. The results of the study were promising as there was a significant improvement in both yield and quality of apple. The results clearly showed that calcium and boron regardless of source and concentration improved both yield and quality of apple over control. However, Calcium (Cacl₂) as dehydrated source @ 0.3 per cent and Boron as boric acid @ 0.15 per cent proved to be the best treatment over other treatments was statistically at par with results obtained with solubar at similar concentration for yield parameters. Furthermore, an average enhancement of yield to the tune of 29.83 per cent and quality in terms of A grade apples to the tune of 55.31 per cent were achieved over control. Thus, it can be concluded that foliar sprays of calcium and boron on apple not only increase yield, but also improve quality that results in significantly higher economic returns.