Journal Of Applied Horticulture ISSN: 0972-1045
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Effects of spraying nano-fertilizer (NPK), brassinolide, and chitosan on selected qualitative characteristics of ‘Khastawy’ date palm fruits

Iman B. Abdulrahman and Ahmed F.Z. Al-Dulaimy2*

1Department of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture, Al Doura 10022, Iraq. 2Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Ramadi -31001, Iraq. Corresponding e-mail: ag.ahmed.fatkhan@uoanbar.edu.iq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i02.48

Key words: Date palm, fruits, nano-fertilizers, brassinolide, chitosan, qualitative traits, fruit quality, TSS, sugars
Abstract:

This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of spraying with both the nano NPK fertilizer at the two concentrations (0 and 2 g L-1), and the growth regulator Brassinolide at the concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L-1), and the growth stimulant Chitosan (0, 1, and 2%) affected certain qualitative fruit traits. The study included 54 trees aged 20 years. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized block design, the experiment included 18 treatments, with each tree considered an experimental unit. The results showed that spraying with NPK nano-fertilizer 2 g L?¹ had a significant effect on improving the qualitative traits of Khastawy date palm fruits, this treatment achieved the highest percentages for macronutrients (N, P and K), TSS, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars with values reaching (1.54%, 0.42%, 1.87%, 66.34%, 31.73%, 25.31% and 57.04%), respectively. Spraying with Brassinolide significantly affected the following traits (phosphorus, TSS and total sugars), the treatment 1.0 mg L?¹ achieved the best percentages, reaching (0.42%, 70.15%, and 55.83%), respectively. As for the Chitosan spray treatments, they significantly affected the traits (percentages of non- reducing sugars and total sugars). The 2% concentration showed the best values for these traits, reaching (25.29% and 55.50%), respectively, while the concentrations 1 and 2% showed the highest percentage of nitrogen, reaching 1.53% for each concentration. Regarding the effect of two-way and three-way interaction between the study factors, the level of significance depended on the type of treatment and the trait studied.


Journal of Applied Horticulture