Acta Agriculturae Slovenica (Aug 2007)
Effect of late season boron spray on boron accumulation and fruit set of ‘Summit‘ and ‘Hedelfinger’ sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)
Abstract
The influence of late-season boron (B) application on the bud B concentration and fruit set was studied in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). The experiment was carried out on 5-year-old ‘Summit’ and ‘Hedelfinger’ trees on rootstock Gisela 5 in Fruit Growing centre Gačnik. Trees were sprayed with B (1% Bortrack) or water (control). Differences in B concentration were measured between cultivars, the highest content in ‘Hedelfinger’ buds. Boron application resulted in increased B concentration in flower buds. Fruit set was influenced with cultivar, boron application and micro location. Fruit set was statistically higher in ‘Hedelfinger’ than in ‘Summit’ trees. The results showed that B fertilization had no effect on fruit set of ‘Summit’ despite increased concentration of boron by 94.8% in dormant flower buds. Foliar boron spraying of ‘Hedelfinger’ was effective in increasing B concentration (by 157.2%) and fruit set on half trees.