Response of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) to foliar application of potassium silicate

Abstract

The Effect of potassium silicate sprays on yield and fruit quality of Saidy date palm was studied during 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons. This study aimed to examine potassium silicate spraying effects (from 2.5, 5, 10 to 20 ml/L) on the date palm fruiting . Spraying was done at mid of May till the first of July with spraying four times, each one after fifteen days . Results declared that carrying out sprays of potassium silicate at 2.5 to 20 ml/1 water caused a remarkable promotion on bunch weight and yield as well as physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits compared to untreated ones (control). The promotion was associated with increasing concentrations of potassium silicate. It could be concluded that spraying bunches of Saidy date palms with 10 ml/L potassium silicate four times was suggested to improve all physical and Chemical properties of fruits. Such fruit improvement is very important target than total yield since improvement in physical fruit traits induces an increase in packable yield.