The Effect of Nano Zinc Oxide Spraying in the Fruit and Yield Characteristics of Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Abstract

Nanomaterials are considered one of the promising modern tools for enhancing agricultural production and improving crop quality. In this context, nano zinc oxide plays a significant role as a catalyst for enhancing fruit traits and nutritional value. The study was conducted in one of the orchards in the Shatt Al-Arab district, Basrah Governorate, to evaluate the impact of nano-fertilizer (zinc oxide) on certain physiological, fruit, and productivity characteristics of date palm trees. Two concentrations of both nano zinc oxide and conventional zinc oxide fertilizers (250 and 500 mg.L⁻¹) were used, in addition to a control treatment with water sprayed on the leaves. The study demonstrated the superiority of nano-fertilizer over conventional fertilizer. The 250 mg.L⁻¹ concentration of nano zinc oxide showed a significant improvement over all treatments, enhancing fruit weight, volume, total soluble solids, total and reducing sugars, total soluble proteins, and yield by percentages of 29.16%, 28.61%, 11.00%, 5.65%, 7.96%, 16.00%, and 28.76%, respectively, while reducing sucrose content by 30.02%.