Effect of calcium sources as foliar applications on fruit quality of peach cultivars

A research “effect of calcium sources as foliar applications on fruit quality of peach cultivars” was carried out at Peach orchards, Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during spring season of the year 2013. Three Ca-Sources (CaCl₂, Ca(NO₃)₂, CaO) @ 1.5% along with control were sprayed on Peach cultivars (Early Grand, Florida King, Texas) The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with split plot arrangements having three replications. All the studied parameters were significantly affected by Ca-Sources and peach cultivars. Among Ca-sources, the maximum ascorbic acid (7.03 mg 100 ml⁻¹), total soluble solids (6.31 ⁰Brix) and fruit pH (3.70) and fruit firmness (7.65 Kg.cm⁻²) with minimum Number of fruits drops (15.33) and percent acidity (0.60%) was recorded in fruits that were treated with CaCl₂. Among cultivars highest total soluble solids (6.26 ⁰Brix), fruit pH (3.67) and fruit firmness (6.88 Kg.cm⁻²) with the lowest number of fruits drops (17.75) was recorded in fruits of peach Texas cultivar. It is therefore concluded that CaCl₂ to be used as foliar application to improve the quality attributes of peach cultivars and peach grower should grow peach cultivar Texas for better quality.