EFFECT OF TRANSPLANTING METHODS, NP- FERTILIZER RATES ON CANOPY WIDTH OF FEMALE DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) OFFSHOOT

M S Isyaku,M I Zamfara,A M Muhammad,A M Hamza,Haruna Yakubu

doi:10.33003/fjs-2020-0402-194

Abstract

Studies on the effect of transplanting methods and NP – fertilizer rates on canopy width of a female date palm offshoot have been conducted over a period of 25 months (September, 2017 – September 2019). The trial was sited at the Date Palm Research Sub – station/ Federal University Dutse (11o50’N, 09o25’E) in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of two transplanting methods (Direct: detachment of offshoot from the parent palm and directly transplanting into the field, and Indirect: detachment of offshoot from the parent palm and keeping in the nursery for 3 months before transplanting into the field) and five NP fertilizer rates Control (0g N + 0g P), 80g N + 40g P, 160g N + 80g P, 240g N +120g P and 320g N + 160g P) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Canopy width was measured and recorded at three months’ interval starting from September, 2017 to September 2019. Indirect transplanting of date palm through nursery proved more effective than direct transplanting as it produces statistically wider canopies in all the sampled periods. Rate 320g N +160g P statistically outperformed other rates in promoting wider canopies throughout the sampling periods. A combination of indirect transplanting method with rate 320g N +160g P that produced wider canopies is recommended for adoption in the Sudan Savannah ecological zone of Nigeria.

Highlights

Phoenix dactylifera L, commonly known as date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruits called dates
The indirect transplanting method maintained statistically wider canopy than direct transplanting method indicates that, the indirect transplanting method is more effective in enhancing the establishment of the offshoot and faster crop growth (Muhammad, 2003)
Studies on the effect of transplanting methods and NP – fertilizer rates on canopy width of female date palm offshoot have been conducted over a period of 28 months (June 2016 – September 2019)

Summary

Introduction

Phoenix dactylifera L, commonly known as date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruits called dates. It is a dioecious plant having separate male and female plants (Zaid and Dewet, 2005). Seedlings produced from seeds are only 50% female and fruit bearing This becomes a reality when the crop starts flowering, usually 5 – 6 years after transplanting (FAO, 2002). Zaid and Dewet (2005), established that, growth of date palm offshoot is proportional to its leaf area, and canopy width is among of the major components of leaf area. Growth characteristics are good indicators of yield of the crop and are influenced by adequate soil moisture and nutrition (FAO, 2008)

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Discussion

Conclusion