Articles
INCREASING YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF ‘SAYER’ DATE PALM WITH APPLICATION OF OPTIMUM LEVELS OF NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM
Article number
882_40
Pages
353 – 360
Language
English
Abstract
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the most important horticultural crops in Khuzestan Province.
Among the date palm cultivars in this province Sayer is one of the most commercial cultivars.
The low annual average of yield and fruit quality is a problem for date growers.
On the other hand, most of the date growers are not applying chemical fertilizers or applying them in improper amounts.
Due to the importance of date palm and so the importance of mineral elements especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in increasing the yield and fruit quality, determination of optimum levels of them for date palm fertilization is a necessity.
In order to increasing yield and fruit quality of Sayer date palm, this experiment with twelve treatments and four replications was carried out in a randomized complete block design on 48 Sayer date palm during four years in Khuzestan Province.
Treatments consisted of three levels of nitrogen (N1=700, N2=1000 and N3=1300 grams tree-1), two levels of phosphorus (P1=500 and P2=650 grams tree-1) and two levels of potassium (K1=1000 and K2=1300 grams tree-1). The sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were urea, triple super phosphate (TSP) and potassium sulfate, respectively.
These treatments along with 20 kg of manure and chemical micronutrient fertilizers based on general recommendation were applied for each tree in winter by localized placement method (Chalkood). The number of 20-25 leaflets from the middle of the leaf in the second row was picked up, and mineral nutrients of them were determined, each year.
At harvesting time, plant parameters such as yield, concentration of mineral elements in leaf, average of weight, length, diameter and volume of fruit flesh, weight of stone and weight ratio of fruit pulp to its stone, pH, acidity, brix, reducing sugar, total sugar in fruits were determined.
Data were analyzed with the MSTATC statistical program and means of data were compared with Duncans Multiple range test.
The results showed that application of 700 g N, 500 g P2O5 and 1300 g K2O for each tree caused the highest yield and fruit quality.
Therefore, annual application of these is recommended to date growers.
Among the date palm cultivars in this province Sayer is one of the most commercial cultivars.
The low annual average of yield and fruit quality is a problem for date growers.
On the other hand, most of the date growers are not applying chemical fertilizers or applying them in improper amounts.
Due to the importance of date palm and so the importance of mineral elements especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in increasing the yield and fruit quality, determination of optimum levels of them for date palm fertilization is a necessity.
In order to increasing yield and fruit quality of Sayer date palm, this experiment with twelve treatments and four replications was carried out in a randomized complete block design on 48 Sayer date palm during four years in Khuzestan Province.
Treatments consisted of three levels of nitrogen (N1=700, N2=1000 and N3=1300 grams tree-1), two levels of phosphorus (P1=500 and P2=650 grams tree-1) and two levels of potassium (K1=1000 and K2=1300 grams tree-1). The sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were urea, triple super phosphate (TSP) and potassium sulfate, respectively.
These treatments along with 20 kg of manure and chemical micronutrient fertilizers based on general recommendation were applied for each tree in winter by localized placement method (Chalkood). The number of 20-25 leaflets from the middle of the leaf in the second row was picked up, and mineral nutrients of them were determined, each year.
At harvesting time, plant parameters such as yield, concentration of mineral elements in leaf, average of weight, length, diameter and volume of fruit flesh, weight of stone and weight ratio of fruit pulp to its stone, pH, acidity, brix, reducing sugar, total sugar in fruits were determined.
Data were analyzed with the MSTATC statistical program and means of data were compared with Duncans Multiple range test.
The results showed that application of 700 g N, 500 g P2O5 and 1300 g K2O for each tree caused the highest yield and fruit quality.
Therefore, annual application of these is recommended to date growers.
Publication
Authors
H. Dialami, A.H. Mohebi
Keywords
date palm, yield, fruit quality, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus
Online Articles (140)