Effect of Foliar Application of Nutrients on Leaf Mineral Composition and Yield of Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) under Arid Conditions

Abstract

Foliar application of urea (2%) and zinc sulphate (0.5%) at peak flowering, peanut size of fruit and second growth phase significantly increased the fruit yield over control. Effects of potassium sulphate and borax were not significant. The maximum fruit yield (71.33 kg tree-1) was observed with urea and minimum (52.19 kg tree-1) in the control. N, Cu and Mn contents increased and P, K, and Fe contents decreased with urea spray, whereas, reverse was observed with potassium sulphate spray. Zinc sulphate and borax spray showed positive relationship with Zn and Mn uptake, but inverse relationship with Cu uptake. A significantly positive correlation was observed between yield and N and Mn contents, whereas, negative correlation was observed between yield and P content in leaves. Key words: Ziziphus mauritiana, foliar nutrition, mineral composition, ber yield.