Effect of foliar application of boric acid on fruit quality and yield traits of mango

Abstract

Imbalance uptake of boron disturbs the process of pollination that eventually decrease the flowering, fruit setting and yield. Its deficiency also deteriorates the quality of fruit by increasing fruit acidity. Therefore, source, balanced application, method of application and optimum uptake of B is an important aspect and need keen scientific attention. So, a field study was conducted with the hypothesis that foliar application of B would be an effective technique to improve the yield and quality of Mango cv. Summer Bahisht (SB) Chaunsa. The source of B was boric acid (BA) applied twice as foliar spray i.e., 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%. Results confirmed that as compared to control, a significant improvement in fruit weight at ripening and harvesting stages (36.9%), fruit length (21.9%), fruit width (10.1%), flower (22.1%) and fruit terminals m^-2 (40.0%) confirmed the effectiveness of T₄ (BA= 0.3%). A significant improvement in average yield (78.6%) validated the efficacious functioning of boric acid (0.3%). In conclusion, boric acid is an important and effective source of B to improve the quality and yield of Mango cv. SB Chaunsa. Similarly, BA (0.3%) is a better option than 0.2 and 0.1% BA to improve the quality and yield of mango.