Study details
- Research institution: University of Horticulture and Forestry, Institute of Soil Science
- Researchers: Dr. YS Parmar and Dr. Pardeep Kumar
- Date: 2024 and 2025
- Location: Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Crop variety: Red Velox
- Soil before study start:
- pH: 6.45
- OC: 1.24%
- EC: 0.14 dSm-1
- N: 298.44 kg/ha
- P: 70.89 kg/ha
- K: 258.05 kg/ha
- Ca: 3.15 (cmol (p+) kg-1
- Mg: 2.22 (cmol (p+) kg-1
- B: 0.44 mg kg-1
- Cu: 1.38 mg kg-1
- Mn: 5.35 mg kg-1
- Zn: 2.22 mg kg-1
- Fe: 13.24 mg kg-1
- Plant age: 7 years
- Number of selected plants: 78
- Spacing: 2.5m x 1m
- Fertilizers: Granubor®, urea, and nitrogen + calcium (CaNO3)
Methodology: Two field experiments (one based on soil application and other on foliar application of boron) were conducted during a two-year period. The apple plants selected for the experiments were uniform in size and vigor. They also received uniform doses of fertilizers, according to university recommendations (as per POP) and as per treatments applied. The experiments were laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications.
Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (version 14.0) and Microsoft Excel 2021. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine the significance of variations among treatments, while significant differences between treatment means were identified using the Critical Difference (CD0.05) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% significance level.
Synergy between calcium and boron
Calcium and boron are nutrients that play key roles in plant nutrition and plant physiology. Both nutrients, when supplied adequately to plants, provide greater productivity and quality of grains and fruits. In the literature, the main functions of calcium and boron in plant nutrition and plant physiology are associated with pollen tube growth and development, cell wall formation, pollen germination, pollen tube growth, flower and fruit formation, and flower and fruit viability.
Conclusions
The investigation revealed that soil application of Granubor at 100 and 125 g/apple tree in combination with calcium nitrate (CaNO3) at 1 kg/apple tree, was found to be most effective for maximizing apple yield and quality closely followed by the application of Granubor at 100 and 125 g/apple tree along with urea at 1 kg/apple tree.
The superior performance of these treatments is driven by the synergistic effects of calcium and boron, which optimize nutrient availability, improve fruit set, and minimize fruit drop to ultimately maximize apple productivity. As essential nutrients for apple trees, calcium and boron fundamentally regulate reproductive growth and structural development. Both elements are directly involved in pollen germination, pollen tube growth, cell wall formation, and the overall viability and formation of flowers and fruits.
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