Evaluation of Some Methods of Iron and Boron Application on Productivity and Fruit Quality of Date Palm Cv Samany

Abstract

This experiment was conducted during 2014 and 2015 seasons in a Private Orchard at Hirriyat Resznah Village, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of different methods of fertilization with some minor elements (iron-Fe and boron-B) namely foliar application, trunk injection and soil application on yield and fruit quality of Samany date palm grown in clay soil under flood irrigation. Results indicated that date palm injection stem with Fe+B recorded the highest values of yield/palm, bunch weight, number of fruits/strand, average fruit weight, TSS, total and non reducing sugars and Vit. C content. The application of Fe + B in leaves axiles with abaxial bunch increased N, P contents and total protein in mature fruits in both seasons. Fe and B concentrations in fruits and pinnaes were the highest with the trees which sprayed Fe+B on bunch. Soil application with Fe+B was the superior treatment in increasing the contents of N, P, K and the concentration of Fe and B in roots of palm than other application method treatments. On the other hand, control treatment (untreated palms) recorded the highest values of total tannins in fruits and lowest values of all abovementioned traits in both seasons.