Gibberellic acid spray and bunch bagging increase bunch weight and improve fruit quality of ‘Barhee’ date palm cultivar under hot arid conditions
2012
Awad, Mohamed A. | Al-Qurashi, Adel D.
Under hot arid conditions date palms are facing environmental stresses that limit tree productivity and negatively affect fruit quality characteristics especially weight and size. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) spray at 50, 100 and 150ppm increased bunch weight of ‘Barhee’ date palm cultivar compared to the control. GA₃ spray at 150ppm gave higher bunch weight than the other applied rates. Bunch bagging increased bunch weight compared to the control but this was lower than the GA₃ treatments. Bunch bagging and GA₃ at 50ppm synergistically increased bunch weight and vitamin C concentration. GA₃ spray delayed fruit ripening, as reflected by lower rutab percentage and higher acidity, phenols and tannins concentration. Both GA₃ spray and bunch bagging treatments increased fruit weight compared to the control. The flesh/seed ratio increased by GA₃ spray and by bunch bagging with GA₃ compared to the control. Fruit length significantly increased by GA₃ spray at 100 and 150ppm and by bunch bagging alone or with GA₃ at 50ppm compared to the control. GA₃ spray and bunch bagging treatments increased total soluble solid (TSS) and acidity concentration compared to the control. Generally, bunch weight was higher and fruit quality was better in 2010 than 2011 season. It was concluded that both GA₃ spray and bunch bagging have promotive effects on bunch and fruit weight and improve quality of ‘Barhee’ dates under hot arid conditions.
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