Impact of potassium sulphate and naphthalene acetic acid spray on yield and fruit quality of date palm cv. Barhee

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of spraying potassium sulphate (as a source of potassium) and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) on yield and some fruit quality characteristics of date palm cv. Barhee. Bunches were sprayed with potassium sulphate at 0(spray with distilled water), 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, spraying was applied twice, after fruit set and after 4 weeks from the first spray. NAA were sprayed at 0(spray with distilled water), 50 mg.l-1 and 100 mg.l-1. Bunches were sprayed at the beginning of kimri stage and the second spray was done after 4 weeks from the first spray at the beginning of khalal stage. The present results indicated that spraying bunches with potassium sulphate at 1.5% significantly increased the fruit weight, bunch weight, yield, and fruit ripening while 1% increased total soluble solids, total sugars, and reducing sugars. NAA spray at 100 mg.l-1 significantly increased fruit weight, bunch weight and yield, while reducing fruit drop, fruit ripening, total soluble solids, total sugars, and reducing sugars.