Influence of Foliar Application of Zinc on Growth, Yield and Zinc Concentration in Strawberry
Influence of Foliar Application of Zinc on Growth, Yield and Zinc Concentration in Strawberry
Saleem Maseeh Bhatti1*, Muhammad Aslam Panhwar1, Zohaib ur Rehman Bughio1, Muhammad Saleem Sarki1, Allah Wadhayo Gandahi1, and Niaz Ahmed Wahocho2
ABSTRACT
Deficiency of zinc (Zn) in the soils of Pakistan is now well recognized and hence its application in crop husbandry is essentially required. In a field experiment, the impact of foliar Zn fertilization was quantified on growth, yield, and Zn concentration in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Silder) at Nasarpur, Sindh, Pakistan during 2015-16. The foliar rates comprised of 33, 66, and 99 mg Zn L-1 (equivalent to 100, 200 and 300 mg ZnSO4 L-1) and distilled water (control treatment) and sprayed to strawberry plants before flower initiation. A continual increase in number of leaves, number and weight of berries, fresh weight of strawberry plants, and Zn concentration in strawberry fruit was observed as a function of foliar application of zinc. Plants sprayed with 66 and 99 mg Zn L-1 had significantly more number of leaves (27.4 ± 1.14 and 29.9 ± 1.36) and berries plant-1 (12.0 ± 1.02 and 13.0 ± 0.61), heavier berries plant-1 (129.7 ± 8.15 g and 139.5 ± 2.85g), and higher plant fresh weight (33.8 ± 5.40 g and 40.2 ± 5.74 g) respectively, when compared with plants that were sprayed with distilled water. However, the zinc concentration in strawberries was significantly highest in plants that were treated with 99 mg Zn L-1 (37.2 ± 1.98 µg g-1) than all other treatments. We suggest that the foliar application of Zn (99 mg Zn L-1) may be included in strawberry farming for profitable yields and high Zn concentration in strawberry fruit.
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