Effects of zinc and manganese as foliar spray on pomegranate yield, fruit quality and leaf minerals

Effects of foliar sprays of zinc and manganese sulfates on the fruit yield and quality as well as leaf nutrients concentration of pomegranate were studied during 2010 growing season in an orchard with a soil pH of 7.5 and EC of 5.2 (dS m(-1)). Zinc and manganese sulfates were applied two times at the rate of 0, 0.3 and 0.6 percent under a factorial design on the base of completely randomized blocks. Mn sprays had positive significant effects on the fruit yield, the aril/peel ratio, TSS, weight of 100 arils, juice content of arils, anthocyanin index, fruit diameter and leaf area. Zn effects were also significant for TSS, TSS/TA ratio, juice content of arils and leaf area. Foliar spray of Mn significantly increased Mn and N but decreased Zn and Cu concentrations in leaves. Foliar sprays of Zn significantly increased Zn but decreased Mn and P concentrations in the leaves. According to the results, the suitable combination of these two micronutrients for studied characters of pomegranate under prevailing conditions was foliar spray of 0.6% MnSO4 and 0.3% ZnSO4.