Abstract
Under hot arid conditions date palms are facing environmental stresses that limit tree productivity and negatively affect fruit quality characteristics especially weight and size. Gibberellic acid (GA(3)) spray at 50, 100 and 150 ppm increased bunch weight of 'Barhee' date palm cultivar compared to the control. GA(3) spray at 150 ppm gave higher bunch weight than the other applied rates. Bunch bagging increased bunch weight compared to the control but this was lower than the GA(3) treatments. Bunch bagging and GA(3) at 50 ppm synergistically increased bunch weight and vitamin C concentration. GA(3) spray delayed fruit ripening, as reflected by lower rutab percentage and higher acidity, phenols and tannins concentration. Both GA(3) spray and bunch bagging treatments increased fruit weight compared to the control. The flesh/seed ratio increased by GA(3) spray and by bunch bagging with GA(3) compared to the control. Fruit length significantly increased by GA(3) spray at 100 and 150 ppm and by bunch bagging alone or with GA(3) at 50 ppm compared to the control. GA(3) spray and bunch bagging treatments increased total soluble solid (TSS) and acidity concentration compared to the control. Generally, bunch weight was higher and fruit quality was better in 2010 than 2011 season. It was concluded that both GA(3) spray and bunch bagging have promotive effects on bunch and fruit weight and improve quality of 'Barhee' dates under hot arid conditions. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.