April 11, 2025 | Plants |
A field study examining the effects of organic manure (OM) and foliar fertilization (FF) on physiological disorders (PDs), soil health, and fruit yield in durian (Durio zibethinus) was conducted by researchers from Can Tho University, Vietnam, and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan. Physiological disorders reduce fruit quality and market value, making it essential to identify cultivation practices that can minimize PD incidence and improve crop performance.
The study was conducted in three durian orchards in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta between 2022 and 2024. Four treatments were tested: control (no amendment), OM alone, FF alone, and a combination of OM and FF, with consistent application of N–P–K fertilizers across all plots. Soil properties (pH, organic carbon, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium and calcium), leaf nutrient content (K and Ca), fruit yield, and quality indicators (PD rate, total soluble solids, and aril characteristics) were assessed.
The combined OM + FF treatment significantly improved soil pH, organic matter, nutrient availability, and leaf K and Ca content. This treatment reduced PD incidence by over 85% and led to a 13% increase in total soluble solids and a 10% increase in fruit yield compared to the control. The study supports OM + FF as a practical approach to improving durian production and fruit quality.
