Effects of potassium fertilization on fruit quality in cherry

Cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a Stone fruit that is produced and exported in large quantities all over the world. It is an important position in both production and export in Turkey. In paticular, the image of "Turkish cherry" is created with 0900 Ziraat cherry cultivar. Maintain and enhancement of this image depends on improving fruit quality and extending shelf life. Cherry quality depend on many factors. Good nutrition management during the cultivation stage affects quality significantly. The positive effects of potassium that is a important macro element on the quality are a known scientificfact. Unfortunately, in our country, potassium fertilization are not adequately included in the fertilization program. Therefore, there are very few scientific studies on cherry. For these reasons, in the study, it was investigated the effects of different potassium rates on some quality parameters of 0900 ziraat cultivar cherry fruits. The experiment was carried out according to randomized block design and 4 replications in the cherry garden belonging to AA Group Besi and Agricultura products incorporatedcompany in 2017. In the experiment, nitrogen was applied equally to all parcels at dose of 250 g N tree-1.The independent variable potassium was examined at 0-100-200-400-600 g of K2O tree-1 doses. Applications were made on 5 tree in each parcel, and fruit samples were taken from 3 trees in the middle at full mature fruit stage. In the samples taken for quality parameters; fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, fruit firmness, Fruit removal force, water soluble dry matter, titratable acidity, pH of the juice, fruit external skin color, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were analyzed. At the end of the experiment, according to the statistical analysis of the data obtained; applied potassium rates were determined to affect positively fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, fruit firmness and titratable acidity at P<0.01 significance level, negatively pH of the juice and antioxidant activity at P<0.01 significance level, negatively color tone h0 and total phenol levels at P<0.05 significance level. In all these effects, there markable level of potassium was observed to be 400 g of K2O tree-1. The effects on Fruit removal force, water-soluble dry matter and other color parameters except color tone are in significant. 400 g of K2O tree-1 potassium level could be also, suggested in these properties. According to all the data obtained, it can be said that potassium fertilization has a positive effect on fruit quality of 0900 Ziraat cherry cultivar. When preparing fertilization programs for cherry orchards, potassium fertilizers should also be included. Also, taking into account the potassium content of soils, it was concluded that recommendation of application of 400 g of K2O tree -1 with potassium fertilizer to obtain good quality cherry fruit. Keywords: Cherry, 0900 Ziraat cultivar, quality, potassium