Effects of foliar biofertilization on the quality parameters of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Abstract

Nowadays the main task of scientists is to find natural ways of improving plant productivity that lead to environmentally friendly agriculture. Biofertilizers have a great potential to achieve this aim but unfortunately there is little information about its application in fruit growing mostly in Hungary. For this reason, a foliar nutrition experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of two biofertilizers (an algae product and a biostimulator, containing amino acids) on leaf nutrient concentration and quality parameters of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) fruits. The study was conducted in 2014 at Újfehértó in East Hungary in a 14 year-old organic apple plantation on cv. ’Remo’. Treatments (application time and doses) were adjusted to the phenological phases of apple.  Effect of treatments was monitored by soil and leaf analysis, apple quality measurements and field observations. Usage of biofertilizers resulted greener and healthier leaves. Treatments had no significant effect on leaf N, P, Mg and micronutrients but using algae suspension increased leaf K and Ca content significantly.