Reducing the sink/source ratio of on‐date palm plants during fruit growth has physiological and biochemical impacts on the shift in source–sink limitations

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe present study examined the impact of reducing the ‘sink’ on the ‘source’ in On‐palms with a bunch number greater than eight. The capacity of leaves and fruit, as well as assimilate loading and unloading in phloem, restrict plant growth and yield. The study evaluated yield components, as well as photosynthetic and hormonal feedback, resulting from source–sink relationships.RESULTSDuring the mid‐Kimri, removing bunches from On‐trees stabilized yield components and fruit size, suggesting that On‐trees have a sink limitation. Bunch thinning boosted these indicators compared to normal trees with a bunch number between six and eight inclusive, indicating that On‐trees had source limitations. In mid‐Khalal, the treatments presented a type of source and sink limitation that is opposite to mid‐Kimri. The thinning techniques addressed the source–sink limitation by adjusting the additional carbon allocation. This resulted in an increase of non‐reducing sugars and starch in different organs, whereas reducing sugars decreased. These adjustments were made to reduce sucrose‐phosphate synthase and sucrose synthase activity, raising invertase activity, lowering indole‐3‐acetic acid, zeatin, gibberellin, and abscisic acid hormone levels in fruits, as well as lowering trehalose production in organs. Levels of hormones, enzymes, and trehalose showed less variation during bunch thinning and source limitation compared to bunch removal and sink limitation.CONCLUSIONAt Rutab, thinning types demonstrated the source limitation of On‐trees. Bunch removal and bunch thinning by removing the source–sink limitation had the greatest effect on increasing yield components and fruit size, respectively. To improve the quality and quantity of fruit, it is important to use both thinning techniques simultaneously. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.