Foliar Applications of Zinc and Boron on Fruit Set and Some Fruit Quality of Olive

Foliar Applications of Zinc and Boron on Fruit Set and Some Fruit Quality of Olive

The impact of foliar application of zinc and boron solutions on fruit set percentage, fruit physical properties and intake rate of the elements by leaf and fruit of three olive cultivars (‘Keylet’, ‘Coronaiki’ and ‘Mission’) were assessed. The spraying carried out twice at full bloom and 15 days later with zinc sulphate (2.5 kgm-3), boric acid (2.5 kgm-3) and the combination of these chemicals. The result indicated that the boric acid spray increased the initial fruit set (76.9%) while spraying with zinc sulphate + boric acid caused significant increase of final fruit set and number of fruit during the harvest (8.2% and 8%, respectively). The highest fruit length (2.08×10-2 m) was resulted from zinc sulphate application. No significant difference was observed between treatments on the fruit and pit length/diameter, length, diameter and weight of pit. Nutrient solution spraying significantly increased B and Zn concentration in leaf and fruit.. .