Tree physiology, fruit growth and nutrient elements of wax apple (syzygium samarangense) as affected by branch bending angle

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of branch bending angle on the plant physiological characteristics, mineral nutrients accumulation and fruit quality of wax apple. Different treatments with five replicates each by Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) layouts were arranged in this study. All the treatments represent different branch angles which were at 5˚ (control), 20˚, 45˚, 65˚ and 85˚ from vertical axis. Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD chlorophyll index) was significantly affected by different bending treatments at a budding stage, flowering, fruit development and after harvesting of wax apple. Total soluble solids (TSS) content in the leaves of bent branches increased significantly at before bud development, flowering, fruit ripening and after harvesting stages of wax apple trees. During fruit development and maturation stages, leaf TSS content was decreased in all bent branches. The results showed that 20˚ to 65˚ angle bent branches increase weight and firmness of fruit, fruit diameter and produced dark-coloured fruit compared to control. The results showed that 65˚ bent branches give the highest potassium (K+) and magnesium (Mg2+) content in the fruits. Higher sodium (Na+), iron (Fe2+) and calcium (Ca2+) content in fruits were found in 20˚ bent branches. There was a positive correlation between fruit TSS with Mg2+ (r = 0.70), with Na+ (r = 0.67) and with Ca2+ (0.57) content in the bent branches of wax apple. Fruit TSS content also positively correlated with firmness and peel colour of wax apple fruits. The number of fruit, fruit weight and fruit diameter of wax apple also positively correlated (weak) with leaves TSS content. It can be concluded that 20˚ to 65˚ branch bending angle are promising for enhancing plant physiology, fruit growth and quality of wax apple fruits. نفذت الدراسة الحالية لتقييم تأثير زاوية انحناءة الفروع في الخصائص الفسيولوجية و الحالة المعدنية ونوعية الثمار في شجرة التفاح الشمعي. طبقت عديد من المعاملات بمكررات خمسة وفقا لتصميم القطاعات تامة العشوائيةRBCD ، و تمثلت المعاملات بزوايا مختلفة لانحناءة الفروع كانت فيها الزاوية 5 ˚ هي معاملة السيطرة، و الزوايا العمودية 45 و 65 و 85 ˚ معاملات تجريبية. بينت النتائج أن محتوى الأوراق من الكلوروفيل قد تأثر بصورة معنوية بالمعاملات المختلفة في مرحلة تكوين البراعم و التزهير و تطور الثمار وصلابتها حتى مرحلة قطف الثمار. كما ازدادت معدلات المواد الصلبة في الأوراق نتيجة المعاملات المختلفة قبل مرحلة تطور البراعم و التزهير ونضج الثمار و ما بعد القطاف. و خلال مرحلة تطور ال