The effects of foliar nutrition with InCa fertilizer on the chemical composition of leaves and fruits of sweet cherry

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the foliar fertilizer InCa on the chemical composition of fruits and leaves of sweet cherry cultivar 'Burlat'. The study involved 14-year old sweet cherry trees of 'Burlat' cultivar, grafted onto 'PHL-A' rootstock and growing at 4×3 m spacing. The trees were sprayed with InCa calcium fertilizer based on CaT technology (manufacturer: Plant Impact). The fertilizer was applied three times, at a dose of 1.5 dm3·ha. The first foliar fertilization was performed at the beginning of the flowering period, and the next two took place at fourteen-day intervals. The fruits were analysed for nitrate content, and both fruits and leaves were considered for dry weight and macro- and micronutrient analysis. The use of InCa fertilizer improved the dry matter and calcium content and reduced potassium, magnesium and cadmium level in the leaves and fruits of sweet cherry. The fertilizer facilitated narrowing K:Ca and K:(Ca + Mg) ratioes and extending of K:Mg, and especially Ca:Mg ratio in both leaves and fruits. Foliar supplementation with the investigated preparation resulted in an increase in nitrogen and manganese content, and a drop in phosphorus, copper, nickel and lead concentration in the leaves of the studied sweet cherry cultivar.