Palm Fruit Management

Four studies were conducted in South Florida and in Southern California to evaluate the growth regulator dikegulac-sodium (Atrimmec®) for palm fruit elimination. Species tested were queen palms [Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman] and coconut palms Cocos nucifera L. in Florida; Mexican fan palms Washingtonia robusta H. Wendl. and date palms Phoenix dactylifera L. in California. Dikegulac-sodium was applied either as a trunk injection or basal soil drench. Evaluations were made of quantity of inflorescences, infructescences, and date yields. No significant differences were noted in any of the species tested. Future studies should investigate higher doses of dikegulac-sodium for palm fruit management.