engleski

The influence of potassium foliar application on mineral content of fig (Ficus carica L.) leaves and fruits

Fig (Ficus carica L.) fruits are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamin C, potassium and calcium. Potassium is macronutrient which has an essential role in the biochemical processes related to protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and enzyme activation. Foliar application of three different mineral fertilizers, potassium EDTA chelate (1.5 %), potassium phosphite (2.5 %), and potassium thiosulphate (0.2 %), was carried out on cv. ‘Petrovača bijela’ in the fig orchard of the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism in Porec (Croatia), while untreated fig trees were control treatment. Leaves and fruits were collected on the 23rd August 2017, twenty days after foliar application of mineral fertilizers. Mineral composition (Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S, Si and Zn) of leaves and fruits was analysed by ICPE-9820 Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer. The leaves had the the highest mass content of macronutrient Ca (26.34 g/kg) in potassium EDTA chelate treatment and the lowest P (10.10 g/kg) in the same treatment, and the highest mass content of beneficiary element Na (779.99 mg/kg) in potassium thiosulphate treatment and the lowest Ni (0.81 mg/kg) in potassium EDTA chelate treatment. The fruits had the highest mass content of macronutrient K (5.50 g/kg) in potassium EDTA chelate treatment and the lowest S (0.42 g/kg) in the potassium EDTA chelate and potassium thiosulphate treatment, and the highest mass content of beneficiary element Si (72.59 mg/kg) in potassium EDTA chelate treatment and the lowest Ni (0.54 mg/kg) in the control treatment. There is no significant difference in mineral composition between the treatments in leaves and fruits (p < 0.05). The short period of 20 days between mineral fertilization and harvest of leaves and fruits is a possible reason that there is no significant difference in mass concentration of minerals between treatments.

Mineral nutrition ; foliar application ; potassium

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