RESPONSE OF “RUBYGEM AND SWEET CHARLIE” STRAWBERRY TO FOLIAR APPLICATIONS CHELATED CALCIUM AND ZINC SULFATE

Abstract

The present study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, in the Al-Sayada zone in Kirkuk governorate. This is to study the effect of spraying (0, 2.5, and 5) g L -1 of Ca and (0, 1.5, and 3) g L -1 of Zn sulfate on some vegetative properties and element concentrations in the leaves and fruits of two (Rubygem and Sweet Charlie) Strawberry cultivars. The plants were sprayed three times 1, 2, and 3/10/2018 until full wetness by using a little liquid soap as a surfactant. The experiment was carried out according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three blocks. The results showed that spraying Ca at a levels of 2.5 and 5 g L-1 had a significant in the increasing leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, Ca and Zn contents in the leaves, and Ca content in the fruits compared to the control. But the fruit dry matter significantly decreased compared to the control. And also, fruits treated with 1.5 and 3 g L-1 Zn sulfate were significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, dry matter (%) in plant and fruit, and Ca content in the fruits compared to the control. However, leaf area significantly decreased when it compared to the control. The leaf chlorophyll content, and dry matter (%) in the plant was higher in Sweet Charlie cultivar than Rubygem, while a non-significant difference was found in all other properties