This study included two different experiments; the first aims to investigate the possibility of reducing the amount of mineral fertilizers by using organic and biofertilizers of Balady Mandarin trees. The second experiment aims to examine postharvest treatments on storability of Balady Mandarin fruits.
The first experiment included seven treatments: 100% mineral NPK fertilizers (control), 100% organic fertilizers (enrichment compost with two natural rocks, rock phosphate and feldspar), 100% biofertilizers (nitrobien, phosphorien and potassiumag), 50% mineral fertilizers + 50% organic fertilizers, 50% mineral fertilizers + 50% biofertilizers, 50% organic fertilizers + 50% biofertilizers and 33.3% mineral fertilizers + 33.3% organic fertilizers + 33.3% biofertilizers. The results indicated that there is a possibility of using organic and biofertilizers as a partial substitute of mineral fertilizers. As this study confirmed the application of mineral, organic and bio-fertilizers at equal ratios (1:1:1) was the best management system for ensuring the best vegetative growth traits, achieving the highest yield with its components, improving the physical and chemical characteristics of fruits and increasing leaf mineral content of Balady Mandarin trees.
The second experiment included ten postharvest treatments by dipping the fruits for three minutes in each of the used materials as follows: distilled water (control), 10% Arabic gum, 6% Bio Arc, bio-agent fungicide, 0.3% Potassium Sorbate, 2% Potassium Carbonate, 2% Mono Potassium Phosphate, 10% Arabic gum + 6% Bio Arc, 10% Arabic gum + 0.3% Potassium Sorbate, 10% Arabic gum + 2% Potassium Carbonate and 10% Arabic gum + 2% Mono Potassium Phosphate. The results showed that fruit dipping in 10% arabic gum plus 2% mono potassium phosphate is an effective treatment for reducing the rate of deterioration and as well for the retaining the quality attributes during extended cold storage at 5°C and 90-95% relative humidity for 60 days of Balady Mandarin fruits.