Effect of water harvesting methods, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer on leaf length of different date palm (phoenix d-) varieties

Abstract

field experiment was conducted to study the effects of water harvesting methods, NP - fertilizer rate and variety on leaf length of date palm plants over a period of 32 months (May 2004- December 2006). The trial was sited at the Date palm Research Sub-station of the Nigerian Institute for Oil palm Research (NIFOR) Dutse (11o 50’N, 09o 25’E) in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of six water harvesting methods (standard 30cm radius basin, single side pit, double side pits, perimeter square basin, side square basin and double square basin). Six NP-fertilizer rates (control, which is zero fertilizer level, 20g N + 10g P, 40g N + 20g P, 60g N + 30g P, 80g N + 40g P and 100g N + 50g P) and six date palm varieties (Palm 300, Tirgal, Dan Mali, Deglet Noor, Shuwarin C and Shuwarin B) arranged in a Latin square design. Two plants per experimental plot were sampled for the measurement of leaf length, given a total of 72 plants. Results from this study revealed that double square basin, the control, the perimeter square basin and side square basin methods proved more effective in enhancing more soil moisture and produced longer leaves. The application of NP- fertilizer at the rates of 80- 100g N and 40- 50g P/ plant to young date plant of about three years significantly enhanced leaf length. Deglet Noor and Dan Mali produced longer leaves and are likely to be more productive. The combination of either double square basin or the control or the perimeter square basin or side square basin water harvesting method treatments, with 80- 100g N and 40- 50g P/ plant and either Deglet Noor or Dan Mali may be recommended for better date palm production within the Sudan ecological zone of Nigeria where this experiment was conducted, following further studies.