The Influence Of Priming Two Cucumber Cultivar Seeds

J. Duhok Univ. Vol.13, No.1, (Agri. And Vet. Sciences) Pp 36-48, 2010
factor in improving fruit yield and their quality,
owing to the role of various minerals in
physiological metabolisms of plant (Ashley et al.,
2006).
Chatzitheodorou et al. (2004) studied the
response of the peach cultivars “Spring Time”
and “Red Haven” grown in clay loam soil, to
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers,
manure, as well as some combinations of these.
They noted a significant increase of fruit yield as
well as of fruit quality and fruit size of both cv.
However, total soluble solids content (%) of the
cvs. “Spring Time” and “Red Haven” did not
alter significantly in comparison to the control
for all the fertilizer combinations used. Ruiz
(2006) applied a field trial with three sources of
K (KNO3, K2SO4 and KCl) at 300 kg K2O haˉ¹
of early nectarines cv. Fairlane resulted in a
significant increase in yield, fruit weight and
diameter of the fruit by all the K sources up to
leaf K levels of 1.5-1.6 kgˉ¹, while no effects
were measured in all evaluated seasons in terms
of soluble solids levels in the fruit. Mimoun et
al. (2008) studied the effects of Potassium Foliar
Spray on Peach cultivar “Royal Glory” and
Theplum cultivar grown was “Black Star”. At
the beginning of the season, the results showed
that the use of potassium foliar fertilization
increased fruit weight, total soluble solid and
improved fruit quality of Black Star plum and
Royal Glory peach at harvest indicated that the
fruit maturity was earlier with the foliar
application.
Iron plays an important role in the activation
of chlorophyll and in the synthesis of many
heme proteins such as different cytochromes,
which participate in different functions in the
plant metabolism (Bhandari and Randhawa
1985).
Abadía et al. (2002) studied the effect
spraying of different Fe-compounds at Fe
concentration of 2mM (FeSO4.7H2O, Fe (III)citrate,
Fe (III)-EDTA, Fe (III)-DTPA and Fe
(III)-IDHA on twenty year-old peach trees
(Prunus persica L. cv. Babygold 10, grafted on
seedling) grown on a flood-irrigated calcareous
soil, they stated that the best Fe compound used
was Fe(II)-sulfate, with other compounds being
less effective, led to improving fruit yield and
quality. Zarraek et al. (2005) revealed that
micronutrients foliar sprays enhanced nutritional
status and improved the yield and quality of
peach trees. Sprayed "Florida Prince and Desert
Red" peach trees once, twice and thrice a year
with combinations of chelate at the rate of
0.7g/L Fe, 0.3 g/L Zn and 0.3 g/L Mn or
combinations of Zn, Mn, Fe sulphate at 0.5 g/L.
The results indicated that spraying the trees
twice or thrice yearly was more effective than
spraying once a year or control in improving and
increasing yield, fruit weight, fruit size and fruit
firmness of both peach fruits (El-Sheikh et al.,
2007).
Since most of Iraqi soils (Duhok soils) are
calcareous and their pH is high this tends to
decrease nutrients availability in the soil (Al-
Zubaidi, 1989). This study investigates foliar
application of nutrients and the interactive effect
of NAA, KNO3 and Fe on nutrient status, yield
and yield components of peach tree.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted at Seiujh, 15km
north of Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq in
2008. Trees used for this investigation were four
years old peach (Prunus persica L) cv. Early
coronet, budded on seedling peach rootstocks,
the trees were similar in size, bloom density.
Full bloom occurred at 15 th march. On 23/ April
/2008, when the mean fruit diameter was (9 ±
1.5mm), 54 peach trees, cv. Early Coronet was
grouped into three randomized complete blocks
of 18 trees according to the tree size, crop
density and location.
Each tree was foliar sprayed to drip point
(run off) with a solution containing ( 0 , 5 NAA
, 0, 0.1, 0.2 % KNO3 and 0, 30, 60 Fe ) alone or
in combination at two times on April 24-2008
and May 25-2008, using 16 Liter sprayer. The
surfactant agent Tween-80 was added to all
solutions at rate 0.01% to reduce surface tension
of solution. N P K. Fertilizer 27:27:0 were
addressed to each tree at a rate of 780g/ tree.
Regular agricultural practices were applied to all
trees throughout this experiment.
Naphthalene acetic acid NAA (Riedel- de
Haen) purity 98% were used, potassium nitrate
KNO3 (Merck) containing (13.8% N, 36.5% K)
and NaFeEDDH (Technical Sodium Ferric
ethylenediamine dio-hydroxyphenyle acetate (Fe
approx. 6%)].
The experimental was laid out in
Randomized Complete Blocks Design (R.C.B.D)
with three replicates, one tree per replicate.
Observation on different growth parameter was
recorded at the end of the experiment. Duncan
Multiple Range Test was used for the
comparison of treatment means at 5% level (Al-
Rawi and Khalafallah, 1980). All the data were
tabulated and statistically analyzed with
computer using SAS system 2000.
Measurements
At the final harvest (1 st June), the yield per
tree was recorded in kilogram for determination
of fruit characteristics. Twenty fruits were
picked up randomly from each replicate as a
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