INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR MINERAL NUTRITION ON BIOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF HOME PLUM VARIETIES IN HYPERARID CONDITIONS OF THE NORTHERN CASPIAN REGION

Abstract

An important factor of horticulture intensification in all areas of fruit crops is a balanced mineral nutrition, which includes both introduction of main elements of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and foliar dressing with macro- and microelements. This is especially vital for plums which is characterized by a high removal of nutrients, particularly, potassium and calcium. The article presents results of the influence of foliar mineral nutrition on home plum varieties to justify for usageon light chestnut soils in the Northern Caspian region under arid conditions. The purpose of the research was to study the effect of foliar dressing with macro- and microfertilizers on biometric parameters (increase ofbole circumference, extension shoots, seed-bud preservation) of plum varieties on light chestnut soils of Astrakhan region. The study was carried out at the experimental site of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Caspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences". The experimental plot was laid in 2014. Records and observations were carried out in 2019-2021. The research material includedBogatyrskaya, Volgogradskaya, Zainap plum varieties and foliar feeding with Master 18:18:18, Aquarin, Ultramag boron and Ultramag calcium. As a result of the research, it was found that intensification of vital processes of plants can be traced by increase of the bole circumference, the length of annual shoots, seed-bud preservation, which ultimately has a positive effect on yieldincrease. As far as foliar dressing in various phases of plumdevelopment is concerned, top dressing with Aquarinin combination with Ultramag boron and Ultramag calcium is the most effective.