Optimizing Pomegranate Nutrient Uptake, Yield, and Fruit Quality using Growth Stimulants under Varying Irrigation Conditions

Growth stimulants (GS) utilization offers a potential strategy to mitigate the adverse impacts of drought stress. This study hypothesized that GS could enhance both the quantitative and qualitative traits of pomegranate fruit and improve nutrient absorption under varying irrigation regimes. A split-plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design over two growing seasons (۲۰۲۰–۲۰۲۲). Two main irrigation treatments, providing ۱۰۰% ETC and ۷۰% ETC for pomegranate, were established as main plots, while seven GS treatments, were assigned to sub-plots including a control, foliar application of amino acid (Aa), fulvic acid (Fa), and seaweed extract (Se); soil application of humic acid (Ha) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF); and combined consumption of GS (Cc). Providing ۷۰% ETC reduced fruit yield, fruit number, total acidity (TA), and nutrient absorption, while increasing total soluble solids (TSS). Under ۱۰۰% ETC, the AMF, Se, and Cc treatments increased fruit yield by ۱۷.۹%, ۱۵.۱%, and ۲۸.۵%, respectively, compared to the control, whereas under ۷۰% ETC, the corresponding increases were ۲۶.۶%, ۲۹.۷%, and ۴۰.۸%. At ۷۰% ETC, the Cc treatment reduced TA by ۹.۸%, whereas at ۱۰۰% ETC, Aa, Fa, and Cc reduced TA significantly by ۱۰.۹%, ۱۳.۰%, and ۱۳.۰%, respectively. Applying Cc treatment at ۷۰% ETC maximized quality while causing minimal yield loss. Overall, most GS treatments effectively improved leaf nutrient concentrations under both irrigation regimes. The enhanced efficiency of GS in improving fruit yield and nutrient absorption under drought conditions highlights its potential as a sustainable solution for pomegranate production in arid regions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Amino acid ، Humic and fulvic acid ، seaweed extract ، AMF