Sustainable enhancement of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) yield, quality through foliar application of potassium silicate and glycine
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, vol.106, no.6, pp.3696-3707, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 106 Issue: 6
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1002/jsfa.70460
- Journal Name: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Page Numbers: pp.3696-3707
- Keywords: biostimulants, foliar spray, physicochemical properties, titratable acidity, Total antioxidant activity
- Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a nutritionally valuable subtropical fruit with high economic importance; however, being highly perishable limits its marketability and profitability. Sustainable preharvest management strategies are essential to enhance fruit quality and resilience to environmental stress. Therefore, a research study was conducted for two consecutive years (2022–2023) using a 4 × 4 factorial randomized complete block design. Apricot fruit trees were applied with four potassium silicate (PS) concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 5 mL L−1) and four glycine treatments (0, 400, 600, and 800 mg L−1), at the fruit set and pit hardening stages. RESULTS: Results showed that moderate PS at 3 mL L−1 with 600–800 mg L−1 glycine significantly improved fruit weight (78%), volume (55%), and yield per plant− (32.8 kg; a 64% increase over the control), while reducing the number of fruits per kilogram by 13%, indicating larger average fruit size. Preharvest decay was reduced by approximately 60%, alongside improvements in firmness (by 100%) over the control, total soluble solids (TSS; 16–19%), TSS–acid ratio (64%), juice pH (0.65 units), and sugar accumulation, compared with control treatment. Antioxidant activity increased by 37%, flavonoids by 51%, proline by 116%, and catalase and peroxidase activities by 22%. Principal component analysis identified 3 mL L−1 PS with 600 mg L−1 glycine as the most effective combination. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that the synergistic preharvest application of PS and glycine has enhanced apricot yield, fruit quality, and storability, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical treatments. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.