EFFECT OF SPRAYING WITH POTASSIUM AND LICORICE ROOT EXTRACT ON SOME PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DATE PALM CV. BARHEE

Abstract

Abstract: This study was carried out during the period from April to October 2020 in one of the private orchards- Tarmiyah district, 55 km north Baghdad, to study the effect of foliar application of K2SO4 (0, 5, 10 and 15 g.l-1) which sprayed two times during growing season at Hababouk stage and the beginning of Kimri stage and Licorice extract (0, 5 and 10 g.l-1) which sprayed at Kimri stage and the beginning of Khalal stage, either alone or in combination on yield and fruit quality of Barhee date palm. It is noticed from the results that the treatment were more effective either alone or in combination on improving productivity and fruit quality (fruit dimensions, fruit flesh weight, fruit weight, fruit dry matter, bunch weight, yield, total soluble solids and sugars content) in comparison with control treatment. The promotion on these traits was observed when the concentration of K2SO4 increased from 5 to 15 g.l-1 and Licorice extract from 5 to 10 g.l-1. The best results of interaction treatments were noticed to yield and fruit quality of Barhee date palm at (15 g.l-1 K2SO4) and (10 g.l-1 Licorice extract).