Foliar Application of Calcium and Potassium Nano- Chelatedes on Some Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Punica granatum L. cv. Zardanar During Cold Storage

In order to investigate the effect of foliar application of nano-chelate calcium and potassium on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Zardanar pomegranate fruit, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2018 in Sidan-Farooq section. Treatments included control, nano-chelate calcium (at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mg L-1) and nano-chelate potassium (at concentrations of 2 and 4 mg L-1). Spraying was done 45 days after full bloom as well as 30 and 14 days before harvest and kept in cold storage for 1.5 and 3 months. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics were investigated before storage and after storage. Spraying of nano-chelate calcium and nano–chelate potassium compared to control resulted in an increase in total weight of aril, reduced weight loss, and brownish skin index of the fruit skin during storage. During cold storage, the highest amount of soluble solids and the lowest amount of acidity were observed in nano- chelate calcium treatments. Nano- chelate calcium and nano- chelate potassium could increase the brightness and chroma value in the fruit skin. It could be concluded that nano- chelate calcium in comparison with nano-chelate potassium have a significant effect on the improvement and preservation of qualitative and quantitative properties of pomegranate fruits during cold storage periods.