SPRAYING WITH SEAWEED EXTRACT AND ITS EFFECT ON THE QUALITATIVE, CHEMICAL AND PRODUCTIVE TRAITS OF DATE PALM CULTIVARS (AL-HALAWI AND AL-SAYER)

This study was conducted in one of the orchards of Al-Hartha, north of Basra, Iraq. Two palm cultivars Al-Halawi and Al-Sayer were selected and seaweed extract was used (with three concentrations: 0, 5 and 7 ml. L-1). The design used randomized complete blocks. It was clear from the results of the study that the Al-Sayer cultivar was excelled in most of the traits of the study in size, length and color of dry and fresh, where it scored (12,201 cm 3, 3,670 cm, 9.461 and 13.468 g) respectively. As well as in the percentage of total sugars, sucrose and total soluble solids, where the values were recorded (47.55, 11.31 and 57.82)%, respectively. It did not differ with Al-Halawi cultivar in the traits, percentage of maturity, fruit set, seed weight and yield. The concentration of 7 ml.l-1 was significant in most of the studied traits. The binary interaction had a clear significant effect on the studied traits.