T HE EFFECTIVENESS of repeated applications of GA3 and streptomycin (SM) to stimulate seedless fruit development or reducing seed number per fruit of mandarin (Citrus recticulata Blanco cv Balady) were evaluated under field conditions at Motobus district, Kafr El-Sheikh governorate during 2014 and 2015 seasons. Trees were sprayed with GA3 at 25 ppm, SM at 250 ppm, SM at 500 ppm, SM at 250 ppm + GA3 at 25 ppm and SM at 500 ppm + GA3 at 25 ppm, while the control trees were sprayed with tap water. Results indicated that GA3 at 25 ppm recorded the highest fruit weight and acidity in both seasons. SM 500 + GA3 reduced seed number per fruit with about 76.66 and 77.46 % reduction in both seasons, respectively compared to the control. Meanwhile, high yield and fruit characteristics, firmness, vitamin C, brix and SSC/Acid ratio, were maintained under this treatment. The addition of GA3 to SM increased its efficacy in this respect.

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This study was done in a private orchard at Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Egypt, during 2012 and 2013 seasons on 18 years old Washington navel orange trees on sour orange rootstock, to study the effect of fertilization with natural raw material mixture and natural raw material of potassium (feldspar) on growth, leaf NPK contents and productivity of trees. Results show that, natural raw material mixture and natural raw material of potassium (feldspar) applications significantly increased growth and leaf NPK contents as compared to regular mineral fertilizers. Moreover, natural raw material mixture and natural raw material of potassium (feldspar) treatments increased yield and improved fruit quality in terms of fruit weight, fruit size, juice size, TSS, acidity, TSS/acid ratio and vitamin C. The application of 4 kg natural raw material mixture/tree + 3 kg/tree natural raw material of potassium (feldspar) +50 kg (MOM) is considered favorable treatment, which gave the best leaf NPK contents , growth, high yield and improving fruit quality of Washington navel orange trees. This treatment is a good substitute for using chemical fertilizers to avoid their deleterious effects on soil, water and human health.

This investigation was carried out during two successive seasons (2006 and 2007) in Balteem district, Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Egypt, aiming to investigate the influence of different pollination levels on fruit quality of "Hayany" date palm compared to the level pollination used by farmers (9 strands / inflorescence). Five healthy female date palms were selected, 12 spathes (inflorescence) were left on each one. Four levels of pollination were applied; 3,6 and 12 strands/inflorescence and control (9 strands / inflorescence, farmers level pollination). The results showed that fruit set percentage increased by increasing pollination level in both experimental seasons. Bunch weight increased in treatments 3 strands/inflorescence and 6 strands/inflorescence and declined by increasing pollination level to record the lowest values by treatment 12 strands/inflorescence and control. The highest acidity and tannins content were recorded by 12 strands/inflorescence treatment in both seasons. P2 (6 strands/inflorescence) showed the highest values of bunch weight, fruit weight and flesh weight. Moreover, fruit chemical properties were enhanced under this treatment compared to the other treatments. Based on these results, it is recommend that the optimum pollination level to improve fruit set and quality of "Hayany" date palm is 6 strands/inflorescence, under Kafr El-Sheikh conditions.