EFFECT OF GIRDLING AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF SOME NUTRIENTS ON GROWTH, FLOWERING, YIEL AND FRUIT QUALITY OF MANZANtLLO OLIVE TREES GROWN IN SANDY SOIL

The effect of girdling and/or a mixture of micronutrients (containi 9 0.05%
chelated Zn, Fe and Mn and 0.05% boric acid) and a mixture of macro nutrients
(containing 0.5% from each of urea, orthophosphorlc acid, potassium sui hate and
magnesium sulphate) on growth. flowering, yield and fruit quality of Manz.aniUo olive
trees grown In sandy soil were investigated during 2001 and 2002 season . Bearing
branches were girdled at one week before full bloom Nutrients were sprayed four
limes in the fi rst week of Aprit, May, June and July in both seasons.
Girdling and/or spraying nutrients were effective in stimulating shoot length.
number of leaves/shoo, leaf area, yield, mean fruil weight, pulp weight % a d oil % in
the putp as compared with the ched treatment. The studied treatment had an
announced (eduction on seed weight %. The enhanCing effects or the treatments on
the number of inflorescences Ishool and number of flowerslinflorescence we e proved
slali~tica\ly, only In the seconc experimental season. The promotion on these
characters was associated with carrying out girdling, using micronutr'ents and
macronutrients, in ascending order: A synergistic innuence on growth and fruiting was
ob&erved when application or nutrients was accompanied with girdling compared to
establishing each alone.
The striking treatment responsible for Improving yield in quantity and quality
of MsnzaniIJo olive trees Included girdling the bearing shoots and the use of special
nutrient mixture containing 0.5% from urea, orthophosphorlc acid, potasslum sulphate
and magneSium SUlphate as well as 0.05% chelated Zn, Fe and Mn and 0.Q5% borlc
acid.