Shadia Abd-alla Ismail1 and Shimaa Kamal Ganzou( 2021). Efficiency of foliar spraying with moringa leaves Extract and potassium nitrate on yield and quality of strawberry in sandy soilInt. J. Agricult. Stat. Sci. Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 383-398, 2021 ISSN : 0973-1903, e-ISSN : 0976-3392
Abstract: The present research aims to investigate the influence of the foliar application of Moringa leaves extract (MLE) at 4 rates of 0, 2, 4, and 6% separately or in combination with KNO3 at a concentration of 2% on strawberry planted in sandy soil. A field experiment was executed in a randomized complete block design. The investigation includes the assessment of the MLE effect on strawberry vegetative growth, fruit quality, yield components, chemical constituents, and its nutrient contents. The obtained results showed that the foliar spraying treatment of 4% MLE gave the highest value of fruit firmness while 4% MLE+2% KNO3 treatment achieved the highest leaves number, leaf area, foliage fresh weight/plant, Fe and Zn contents, and anthocyanin content. The maximum TSS/TA ratio (1st season) occurred at 6% MLE but the highest leaf chlorophyll content, total crown carbohydrates (1st season), Mn, Cu, Ca, Mg and Na contents, fruit weight (1st season), total soluble solids (TSS), and maximum TSS/TA ratio (2nd season) were reached at 6% MLE+2% KNO3 treatment. However, the 4 and 6% MLE+2% KNO3 applications achieved the highest crown diameter and crown carbohydrate content (2nd season), as well as leaf mineral contents (NPK), fruit weight (2nd season), ascorbic acid content, and the lowest values of titratable acidity (TA). The foliar application of 4%MLE+2%KNO3 treatment increased the total yield by 30.18% of the control in the first season and by 23.77% in the second.
Keywords: (Strawberry, Foliar spray, Moringa leaves extract (MEL), Potassium nitrate (KNO3), Strawberry yield , quality.)
