Effect of Spraying Nano-Chitosan, Basil Oil and Lemon Grass Extract on Yield and Fruit Quality of Barhy Date Palms Grown Under Minia Region Conditions

This investigation was executed during 2016 and 2017 seasons to test the impact of spraying nano-chitosan and lemon grass extract and basil oil each at 0.5, 1 and 2% on yield, bunch weight and both physical and chemical characteristics of fruits in date palm cv Barhy. These materials were added via foliage three times before hand pollination, just after fruit setting and at one month later. Single and combined applications of nano-chitosan and lemon grass extract and basil oil each at 0.5 to 2% were very effective in improving yield, bunch weight and both physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits in date palm cv. Barhy relative to the control treatment. Combined applications of these substances were preferable in enhancing the investigated parameters than using each material alone. Using lemon grass extract at 0.5 to 2% was measurably superior than using the other two materials namely basil oil and nano-chitosan at the same concentrations. Using lemon grass extract, nano-chitosan and basil oil, in descending order was accompanied with activating all the studied characteristics. Increasing concentrations from each material from 1 to 2% failed to exhibit any promotion on these aspects. Carrying out three sprays of a mixture of lemon grass extract, Nano-chitosan and basil oil each at 1% gave the best results with regard to yield as well as fruit quality parameters of Barhy date palms grown under Minia region conditions.