EFFECT OF ORGANIC FERTILIZATION ON GROWTH, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF ZAGHLOUL DATE PALM GROWN IN SANDY SOIL

Abstract

The beneficial effects of organic fertilization either alone or combined with inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on growth, nutrient status and fruiting of Zaghloul date palms grown in sandy soil were investigated during 2006 and 2007 seasons. Organic manure was applied at 0.0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% combined with inorganic-N at 100, 80, 60, 40, 20 and 0.0% of the recommended dose of nitrogen fertilization of 1200 g/palm/year. The obtained results indicated that application of organic nitrogen either alone or combined with inorganic nitrogen form significantly improved vegetative growth traits and palm nutrient status as well as increased yield and improved the dates quality as compared to application of mineral nitrogen alone. Fertilizing by organic manure either at 60 to 80% plus 40to 20% inorganic nitrogen form gained the highest score recording comparing with other fertilization tested treatments. The results also revealed that replacing 60-80% of nitrogen requirements for Zaghloul date palms grown in sandy soil by organic manure added once at winter season improved the growth and nutritional status of palms as well as yield and dates quality, in addition, saving nitrogen fertilization cost and reducing the environmental pollution problems.