Yield and chemical composition of ʹPiaromʹ date palm as affected by levels and methods of iron fertilization

This research was conducted in order to study the effects of iron fertilization on yield and chemical composition of date palm var. ʹPiaromʹ, on 54 trees in Haji-Abad research station of Hormozgan Province. Trees were 12 years old and research treatments were consisted of: 1-Control treatment 2- Soil surface application of Fe in two levels 3-Application of Fe as localized placement method (Chalkood method) in two levels 4-Fe injection into the trunk of tree in four levels. The experiment was performed as a randomized complete blocks design with nine treatments and three replications in four years. Trees were pollinated according to the custom of the region and irrigated through drip system. Fruit thinning was done with extra clusters deletion regarding the ratio of eight leaves to one cluster. Production was harvested and weighted each year in October, the second half. Chemical and physical analysis of leaves and fruits were also done. Obtained raw data were analyzed statistically and means were compared with each other via Duncan,s multiple range test using MSTATC software. Results showed that in most cases, injection of 25 g FeSO4 tree-1 into the trunk caused the best results. Other injection treatments were placed in second class. Localized placement of iron fertilizer was the next treatment from the viewpoint of desirable effects. Finally, soil surface application appeared as an inapt method because it was statistically similar to control treatment, in most cases.