Effect of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and calcium chloride foliar spray on fruit cracking and sunburn of Manfalouty pomegranate trees

• Study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and calcium on vegetative and yield parameters.
• Reduce fruit cracking and sunburn damage of Manfalouty pomegranate trees.
• Improve protection of fruits from direct sunlight.
• The role of Ca in controlling physiological disorders of fruit.

A field experiment was carried out during 2013 and 2014 seasons on 13 years old Manfalouty pomegranate trees grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system from well at El-Maghara Experimental Station, Desert Research Center, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt. The main objective of this work is to study the effect of four rates of ammonium nitrate fertilizer (600, 900, 1200 and 1500 g/tree) and three concentrations of calcium chloride spray at (0, 1 and 2%) on vegetative growth parameters, yield and fruit quality (especially fruit cracking and sunburn damage) of Manfalouty pomegranate trees. Obtained results showed that ammonium nitrate fertilizer and/or calcium chloride alone or in combination enhanced vegetative growth parameters, yield, fruit quality traits and reducing fruit cracking and sunburn damage through increasing vegetative development and thereby improve protection of the fruits from direct sunlight and the role of Ca in controlling physiological disorders of fruit.