Effect of Offshoots Weight and Organic Sulfur Compounds on Vegetative Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Date Palm cv. Mejool

The low solubility of nutrients in the soils of most arid regions, such as Khuzestan, limits or reduces plants growth. Application of organic sulfur to the soil reduces soil alkalinity, increases nutrient absorption and plant growth. This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with split plot design. Experimental treatments consisted of three date palm offshoots weights including 5-8, 8-11, and 11-15 kg in the main plots and four organic sulfur compounds levels as 0, 400, 800, and 1200 gram per plants in sub plots with 4 replication. The study was conducted at Date Palm and Tropical Fruit Research Institute. Results of leaves analysis after performing the experiment showed that organic sulfur compounds improved soil condition around the roots and caused significant increase in leaf nutrient uptake. The highest levels of nitrogen, and potassium content were 2.025 and 2.262 percent and belonged to treatment of 1200 g. organic sulfur per plant. In addition, date palms offshoots weight treatments showed significant differences in growth. The highest rates of growth in trunk diameter and length, seedling length, leaf length, and width were, respectively, 6.7, 16.4, 80.8, 8.4, and 6.8 cm, and were observed in the heaviest offshoots. Organic sulfur treatments had significant effects on stems and leaf growth. The highest rates of growth in trunk diameter and length, seedling length, leaf length and width, were 7.7, 20.1, 85.3, 10.8 and 8.1 cm and 8.6 leaves, belonging to the highest level of organic sulfur treatments. Comparison of the interactions also showed that organic sulfur compounds application at any shoot weight increased growth rate significantly. Finally, the off shoots weight range of 11-15 kg and application of 1200 grams of organic sulfur compounds can be recommended for date palm cv. Mejool offshoots growth.