Effect of Soil Type and IBA Concentrations on some vegetative growth Traits of Phoenix Dactylifera L. CV. Siwi Date Palm Offshoots.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of soil type and different concentrations of IBA on stimulating the rooting of weak ground offshoots of the Siwi date palm after being separated from the mother plant and grown in pots. This experiment was carried out in a private orchard in New Valley Governorate, Egypt for the experimental seasons 2022 and 2023. A factorial experiment was conducted according to RCBD with three replicates and 12 treatments; different forms of mixed soil with 1- sand : silt as 1:1 ratio; 2- sand : silt : peat moss as 1 : 0.5 : 0.5 ratio ; 3- sand : silt : peat moss as 1 : 1 : 1 ratio; and treatment with the growth regulator IBA, four concentrations at 0, 250, 500 and 750 ppm by soaking. The results showed that all different concentrations of IBA with different forms of soil induced a remarked promotion in the No. of the new leaves/ offshoot, Trunk circumference at the base (cm), Trunk length, Length of the first new leaf (cm), dry weight (D.W) the first new leaf (g) and fresh weight (F.W) the first new leaf (g) compared with water-sprayed palms (control). The best results with regards to using a form of sand : silt : peat moss as 1 : 1 : 1 ratio combined with the concentration of IBA 250 ppm which is significantly superior in this concern compared with either control (water spray) or other treatments.