EFFECT OF NAA SPRAYS ON BUNCH YIELD AND FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS OF "ZAGHLOUL" DATE (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Hort. Dept., Fac. Agric., Kafr EI-5heikh, Tanta Univ.

Abstract

This work was carried out during the 2000 and 2001 seasons on "Zaqhloul"
date cv. to study the effect of NAA concentrations on bunch yield and fruit
characteristics. Bunches were sprayed with NAA solutions containing 0,10,20,30 or
40 ppm, 10 days after fruit set.
 
It was found that NAA treatment reduced both yleldlbunch and number of
fruits/strand. Moreover, fruit weight and flesh weight were increased in response to
this treatment. Results also indicated that SSC% of fruits were increased with the
NAA treatments. However, tannin content was decreased in the NAA treated fruits.
This was attributed to enhanced maturity due to the achieved thinning.
 
The NAA treatment of ·Zaghloul" date cv. as indicated under the conditions
ofthis experiment could be recommended to improve fruit quality.