Quality of Apple Cv. RED DELICIOUS as Influenced by Potassium

Twelve treatment combinations of soil and foliar potassium applications were tested to study the effect of potassium on quality and nutrient concentration of apple fruit under orchard conditions. The study revealed that all the treatments exhibited positive effect on apple quality. All the treatments significantly increased the fruit weight, length, diameter, TSS, color and fruit firmness, while simultaneously a decrease in fruit acidity was also recorded. Highest fruit weight, length, diameter, TSS and color were recorded in treatment combination S₃F₂ (i.e. soil K₂O @ 2250 gm/tree+foliar spray of 1.5% K₂SO₄) which was found at par with S₂F₂ treatment. (i.e. soil K₂O @ 1500 gm/tree+foliar spray of 1.5% K₂SO₄); significant increase and decrease in the fruit potassium and calcium contents, respectively, was also observed.