Effect of foliar application of zinc and iron on some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Orlando Tangelo

In order to evaluate the foliar application of iron and zinc on some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Orlando Tangelo, an experiment was performed on 5-year-old trees in a garden in Manojan city in Kerman province. Experimental factors included zinc and iron each at 3 levels (0, 1 and 2 per thousand). Results showed that the application of iron and zinc significantly increased the flowers and fruits. The highest flowers and fruits were observed in trees treated with iron in combination with zinc (2 per thousand). Application of iron and zinc had no significant effect on fruit size (diameter and length and length to diameter ratio) and juice volume. The fruit weight decreased as a result of fertilizer application. But no significant difference was observed between the control and iron (2 per thousand) in combination with zinc (1,2 per thousand). The highest pulp to peel ratio was obtained in treated tree with 1 per thousand (3.58) and 2 (3.25) per thousand zinc. The lowest TSS / TA ratio (1.34) was observed in fruit treated with iron (2 per thousand). Except for iron (2 per thousand) along and in combination with different concentrations of zinc, other treatments significantly increased the ascorbic acid content. Although application of zinc (1 per thousand) alone and iron (1 per thousand) along and combination with zinc (2 per thousand) increased the total phenol, but did not show a significant difference with the control. The application of all treatments improved the fruit color. The highest a* (more orange color) was observed in iron (1 per thousand) combined with zinc (1 and 2 per thousand). Generally, application of zinc and iron had an effective role in increasing the number of flowers and fruits of Orlando Tangelo and improving some quality characteristics such as increasing the ratio of pulp to peel and ascorbic acid of the fruit.