THE IMPACT OF THE FOLIAR FERTILIZATION ON THE SWEET CHERRY TREE PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract

This study aims to determine the impact of the nanotechnology-based foliar Pistachio Mix Plus NPA fertilizer on the yield and quality of sweet cherries. The research has been conducted using the 'Kordia' sweet cherry variety grafted on the Gisela 6 rootstock and 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 14.9-30.1%, 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 64.6-65.4%. 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.