Effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) Spray on Yield and Fruit Characteristics of Zaghloul Date Palm

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hort. Res. Institute, Agric. Center, Egypt.

Abstract

The experiment was carried out through 2005 and 2006 seasons on "Zaghloul" date palm of about 50 years old grown in loamy soil at El-Kanater Horticulture Research Station, Kalubia Governorate, Egypt.
The effect of NAA at (20, 30, 40 and 50 ppm) were sprayed on bunches, within two weeks after pollination time, in each season.
Results indicated that NAA spray at different concentrations tended to decrease bunch weight than the control due to reducing fruit number/bunch as a result of fruit drop.
Fruit and flesh weights, fruit dimensions, total soluble solids, sugar content were significantly higher under all treatments. While the acidity content and tannins in fruits were significantly lower in comparison with control. From the present study at is conducted that spraying NAA at 40 or 50 ppm on "Zaghloul" date bunches after two weeks from pollination time was a beneficial treatment to ensure fruit thinning and improve fruit quality under such conditions. 

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