Articles
Evaluation of three pomegranate cultivars: leaf mineral concentration, yield and fruit quality
Article number
1254_35
Pages
235 – 242
Language
English
Abstract
The study was carried out in the experimental orchard at the Agricultural University of Athens (Greece) in 2016 with the aim of comparing the nutritional status, fruit set, yield, fruit and juice characteristics of two well-known pomegranate cultivars (Wonderful, Acco) and a Greek genotype (Persefoni). The experimental trees of Wonderful and Acco were 6 years old and those of Persefoni 5 years old.
The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications.
All the trees received the same horticultural management practices.
Expanded leaves from the exterior of each tree were collected on 11th July and analysis of nutrients (N, P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe and B) was carried out.
Fruit weight and dimensions (fruit length with and without calyx, and diameter), external fruit color, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), TSS:TA ratio and percentage of juice were measured.
The results showed that TSS did not significantly differ among the three genotypes. Wonderful had significantly higher fruit weight and fruit dimensions than the other two.
The external fruit color differed significantly.
The percentage of juice (% juice fruit‑1 weight) was lower in Persefoni than in the other two. Wonderful had lower pH and higher TA than Acco and Persefoni. The TSS:TA ratio was significantly lower in Wonderful than the other genotypes. Persefoni had the lowest fruit set compared with Wonderful and Acco. Acco had the greatest number of fruit tree‑1 among the three.
However, Wonderful had the highest yield (total fruit weight tree‑1), which was twice that of Acco and three times higher than that of Persefoni. From the nutrients measured in leaves, only the concentrations of Ca, Mn and Fe were significantly different among the three.
In conclusion, Persefoni was found to be the sweetest and Wonderful the most sour. Wonderful was the most productive of the three.
The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications.
All the trees received the same horticultural management practices.
Expanded leaves from the exterior of each tree were collected on 11th July and analysis of nutrients (N, P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe and B) was carried out.
Fruit weight and dimensions (fruit length with and without calyx, and diameter), external fruit color, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), TSS:TA ratio and percentage of juice were measured.
The results showed that TSS did not significantly differ among the three genotypes. Wonderful had significantly higher fruit weight and fruit dimensions than the other two.
The external fruit color differed significantly.
The percentage of juice (% juice fruit‑1 weight) was lower in Persefoni than in the other two. Wonderful had lower pH and higher TA than Acco and Persefoni. The TSS:TA ratio was significantly lower in Wonderful than the other genotypes. Persefoni had the lowest fruit set compared with Wonderful and Acco. Acco had the greatest number of fruit tree‑1 among the three.
However, Wonderful had the highest yield (total fruit weight tree‑1), which was twice that of Acco and three times higher than that of Persefoni. From the nutrients measured in leaves, only the concentrations of Ca, Mn and Fe were significantly different among the three.
In conclusion, Persefoni was found to be the sweetest and Wonderful the most sour. Wonderful was the most productive of the three.
Authors
K.G. Meletis, S.N. Vemmos, I.E. Papadakis
Keywords
Punica granatum, acidity, TSS, fruit color, nutrients, yield, fruit weight
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