Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the foliar spraying of Pentakeep® Super which is a foliar fertilizer formulated with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) designed to enhance plant growth and development through improved nutrient absorption and stress resistance on the fruit growth and quality of the low-chill early ripening peach ‘KU-PP1’. Varying Pentakeep® Super concentrations (0.2 mL·L-1, 0.4 mL·L-1, and 0.6 mL·L-1) were sprayed at intervals of 30, 45, and 60 days after full bloom on the leaves of ‘KU-PP1’ peach; four branches per tree during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Pentakeep® Super treatment increased the photosynthesis rate of ‘KU-PP1’ peach compared to the control. Fruit maturity was accelerated by the Pentakeep® Super treatment in both seasons, and fruit weight and size increased in all treatments compared to that of the control. Furthermore, the TSS content was observed highest in the control during both years. The fruit color (a* and b*) was enhanced in the Pentakeep® Super-treated fruits in both years. Based on our findings of positive correlations between Pentakeep® Super and fruit quality attributes, we concluded that the Pentakeep® Super treatment produced superior results compared with control.
