بربررسي اثرهاي نسبت برگ به خوشه بر ويژگي هاي كمي ميوه و ميزان خرماي استعمران

THE EFFECT OF LEAF BUNCH RATIO ON FRUIT QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND YIELD IN ʹSAYERʹ DATE

Bunch thinning is considered as an important cultural operation for improving the quality of date fruits as well as creating a balance between photosynthesis and carbohydrate production and the fruit quantity. Quality of dates is improved by increasing fruit weight and size. This experiment was carried out in Shadegan (Khuzestan province) using a completely randomized block design with five treatments in three replicates for two years. The treatments were: leaf/bunch ratios of 8-9:1, 10-11:1, 12-13:1, 14-15:1 and natural ratio (control). Results showed that the leaf/bunch ratio had a significant effect on fruit length and yield but it did not have a significant effect on fruit diameter and weight. Based on this research, the leaf/bunch ratio of 8-9:1 can be recommended as the best bunch thinning treatment for ʹSayerʹdate.