Effect of different levels of irrigation and micronutrient fertilization on productivity of Seewy date palms By A. T. Abo-El-Ez, M. R. Gad-Elkarim, M. A. Hussien and I. A. Ismail Hort. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Sohag University, Egypt.

Abstract

During 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons, fruit bunches of Seewy date palm grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system were exposed to micronutrient fertilization i.e., boron solution at rates of 2000 ppm, zinc solution at rates of 1000 ppm and silicon solution at rates of 1% each alone or in combination between the three materials as well as three levels of irrigation : 25, 50 and 100% of field capacity from pollination stage to harvest stage. Bunches were sprayed twice with above micronutrients after pollination and at Kimri stage. The aim was improving yield and quality of Seewy cv. Using all micronutrient treatments and irrigation levels was very effective in improving the yield and quality over the control treatment. The highest values of fruit set, fruit retention, bunch weight (Kg), Yield/palm (Kg/ Palm), TSS, total sugars and reducing sugars were achieved by aplication of 2000 ppm (B) + 250 ppm (Zn) + 1% (SL) treatment plus all irrigation levels. While the highest values of fruit weight, pulp weight and pulp/fruit weight were achieved by aplication of 2000 ppm (B) + 250 ppm (Zn) + 1% (SL) treatment plus 25or 100% irrigation levels. This study suggested that application of 2000 ppm (B) + 250 ppm (Zn) + 1% (SL) treatment twice after pollination and at Kimri stage plus all irrigation levels (25, 50 and 100% of field capacity) consider auseful technology for producing high fruit quality of Seewy date palm cultivar under Sohag climatic conditions.