Fecha de publicación: 18/12/2024 Fuente: Citrus Byproducts Extraction Abstract
One of the best ways to increase citrus yield and quality is proper fertilization. In the present research, the effects of foliar application of seaweed extract (0.5%), fulvic acid (0.5%), and potassium silicate (0.3%) on fruit yield and quality of mandarin cv. ‘Page’ were evaluated. Leaves of trees sprayed with seaweed extract, fulvic acid, and potassium silicate accumulated greater concentrations of N (15.09–22.16%), P (20.00–120.00%), K (17.02–46.80%), Ca (1.69–32.76%), Mg (26.31–84.21%), Zn (199.87–261.76%), Mn (79.92–139.04%), and Fe (59.12–148.65%) than those unsprayed. Mandarin trees sprayed with the nutrient solutions, especially seaweed extract, had higher chlorophyll a (up to 29.20%) and total chlorophyll (up to 24.37%) contents. Applying the nutrient solutions, especially seaweed extract, increased yield (up to 48.87%), fruit diameter (up to 5.37%), fruit juice (up to 16.35%), and firmness (up to 19.58%), but reduced the pulp of fruits (up to 39.64%). Moreover, fruits of mandarin trees sprayed with the nutrient solutions and especially seaweed extract showed a greater level of total soluble solids (TSS) (12.73–14.30%), TSS/titratable acidity (TA) (9.98–11.32), color index L* (36.10–39.03), color index a* (5.10–6.65) and color index b* (23.99–29.30), vitamin C (27.08–35.49 mg 100 mL−1), total phenol (0.9–1.17 mg mL−1), carotenoid (0.3–0.36 mg g−1 FW), antioxidant activity (88.13–96.06%), as well as the activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) (2.70–3.48 unit mg−1 protein), catalase (CAT) (1.65–2.00 unit mg−1 protein), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (5.85–6.69 unit mg−1 protein), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (1.77–2.20 unit mg−1 protein) enzymes. The study findings evidenced that foliar application of seaweed extract, fulvic acid, and potassium silicate has a high potential for improving fruit yield and quality of mandarin.