The effect of the foliar fertilizer Pistachio Mix Plus NPA on the yield and quality of cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruits of the cv Sweet Stephany, grafted on gisela 6 rootstocks

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of the effect of the nanotechnology-based Pistachio Mix Plus NPA foliar fertilizer on cherry fruit yield and quality in the cv Sweet Stephany cherry variety, grafted on Gisela 6, planted at a distance of 4x1 m. Between 2023 and 2024, the foliar fertilizer was used during four phenophases of flower bud development in a dose of 2.5 l/ha. The fruit yield increased by 12,5-19,8%, when the Pistachio Mix Plus NPA was used 2.5 l/ha three times, in comparison with the yield of the sweet cherry trees which were not treated with the fertiliser. The foliar fertilization with microelements has increased the number of fruits with a diameter larger than 30 mm by 54,4-58,3%. Thus, the fruit yield and quality can be improved in sweet cherry orchards using nanotechnology-based foliar fertilizers during three fruiting phenophases, namely pink-white bud + petal shedding + the beginning of ripening.