Improving of pomegranate aril paleness disorder through application of Fe and Zn elements

Abstract

Aril paleness disorder changed to the critical damage in the pomegranate orchards of Iran recently. In order to evaluate the effects of Fe and Zn application on reduction of colorless arils of pomegranate, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted during 2014-2015. In this study, cultivar treatments were cv. Khazar and Shisheh-Cap and fertilizer treatments were in form of foliar application including the use of ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, liquid Fe chelate, each treatment separately in three levels, 0, 0.5 and 1% and combination of ferrous sulfate and Zn sulfate in three levels, 0, each with equal concentrations 0.5% in one compound, and 1% in another combination. Treatments of soil application included: Fe chelate, Zn chelate on each one separately and on three level, 0, 5 and 10 kg/ha. The results showed significantly, different treatments of Fe and Zn increased the Fe, Zn and anthocyanin content of juice and reduced colorless arils in cultivars during both consecutive years. According to the results of presented study, foliar application of Zn sulfate and ferrous sulfate 1% either separately or combined and liquid Fe chelate 1% as superior treatments were recommended to improve the physiological disorder of pomegranate colorless arils in cv. Khazar and Shisheh-cap.