HOME JOURNALS CONTACT

International Journal of Agricultural Research

Year: 2014 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 29-37
DOI: 10.3923/ijar.2014.29.37
Improving Pollination Efficiency, Yield and Fruit Quality of Two Date Palm Cultivars using Growth Activator
Omaima M. Hafez, Malaka A. Saleh, E.A.M. Mostafa, M.S. El-Shamma and M.A. Maksoud

Abstract: This study was carried out during two successive seasons 2011 and 2012 on Zaghloul and Samany date palm cultivars grown in a private orchard at Abo-Rawash region, Giza Governorate, Egypt. This investigation included treatments for three periods to activate pollen grains using in small amounts by mixing with the natural growth activator (Milagro) and evaluate its impact on the efficiency of pollination process, yield and fruit quality. The first one was carried out by dusting female inflorescence as soon as it opened using (pollen grain at 2 g, Milagro at 1 g and mixture of pollen grains at 1 g+Milagro 1 g). After one month and two months from initial treatment the 2nd and the 3rd treatments were carried out with the same rates, in order to increase yield and improve fruit quality. Results showed that all treatments markedly improved pollination, yield and fruit quality. The best results were achieved from the combined treatment (pollen grains at 1 g+Milagro 1 g) which recorded the highest significant percentages for fruit set and retained fruits. Physical and chemical characteristics of fruits expressed by fruit shape, weight, volume, pulp value, bunch weight and yield/palm as well as TSS%, reducing sugars and total sugars were markedly enhanced. It is concluded that the growth activator Milagro has potential strategy for improving pollination, yield and fruit quality of date palm cultivars under study, besides its environmentally safe effect as non-chemical tool.

Fulltext PDF Fulltext HTML

How to cite this article
Omaima M. Hafez, Malaka A. Saleh, E.A.M. Mostafa, M.S. El-Shamma and M.A. Maksoud, 2014. Improving Pollination Efficiency, Yield and Fruit Quality of Two Date Palm Cultivars using Growth Activator. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 9: 29-37.

Related Articles:
© Science Alert. All Rights Reserved