GROWTH REGULATORS TO IMPROVE THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF FEREHY DATES

Various factors, including the application of plant growth regulators, can positively influence date palm production. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of GA3 and CPPU, both individually and in combination with potassium citrate(45%), on the yield and fruit quality of Ferehy date palms. We sprayed the bunches with GA3 (20-80 ppm), CPPU (5-20 ppm), and potassium citrate to study their effect on yield and fruit quality. Bunches were sprayed twice, one and two months after pollination. The results demonstrated that a combined application of GA3 and CPPU significantly enhanced yield, bunch weight, and fruit quality compared with the untreated control palms. Specifically, treated bunches exhibited increased fruit weight, diameter, height, flesh percentage, total soluble solids, and total sugars.Moreover, this combination treatment reduced the seed percentage, total acidity, and crude fiber. While both GA3 and CPPU were effective when applied separately, GA3 proved more potent in improving all measured parameters. Based on these findings, a mixture of GA3 at 80 ppm and CPPU at 20 ppm sprayed twice after pollination is recommended to optimize the yield and fruit quality in Ferehy date palms