EFFECT OF MORINGA LEAVES EXTRACT, CALCIUM, AND POTASSIUM SILICATE ON THE GROWTH, YIELD, AND QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY FRUITS

Abstract

A field and storage experiments were carried out in order to evaluate the effect of the foliar application of Moringa leaves extract, calcium, and potassium silicate on the growth, yield, and quality characteristics of strawberry fruits. The field experiment with three replicates was included 27 treatments consisted of the foliar application of Moringa leaf extract at the concentrations of 0, 5, and 10% which were symbolized as M₀, M₁, and M₂ respectively, calcium at the concentrations of 0, 1, and 2 g. L^-1, which were symbolized as Ca₀, Ca₁, and Ca₂ respectively, and potassium silicate at the concentrations of 0, 1.25, and 2.50 ml. L^-1 that symbolized as S₀, S₁, and S₂ respectively. The storage experiment was carried out according to the same design that applied in the first experiment, at a temperature of 0-2ºC. The results revealed that the M₂ treatment was significantly increased the leaves content of chlorophyll, Leaves area, shoots dry weight, flowers number, the fruit set percent and number, leaves and fruits content of calcium, fruits firmness, and it also reduced the damage percent and the weight loss. While the treatment of Ca₁ recorded the most significant values of growth and yield indicators, and the lowest damage percent  and weight loss. Also, the Ca₂ treatment recorded the highest leaves and fruits content of calcium, and firmness. S₂ also recorded the highest values in the above indicators. The interaction treatments revealed significant values in the above-mentioned indicators, as the interactions of M₂Ca₁, M₂S₂, and Ca₁S₂ and the triple interaction of M₂Ca₁S₂ were recorded the highest values compared to the control treatments.