REDUCING GROWTH LAG OF S-700 JOJOBA CLONE GROWN IN A NEWLY ESTABLISHED ORCHARD IN MIDDLE SINAI BY NPK AND BENZYLADENIN FOLIAR SPRAY

A two-year trial was conducted during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons on young plants of S-700 jojoba clone grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system from well at El-Maghara Experimental Station, Desert Research Center, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement using three replications. The effect of foliar application of NPK (0,3and5gL−1)and benzyladenine (0,100and 150 mg L−1) on vegetative growth, flowering, seed yield and wax content of S-700 jojoba clone was studied. The results showed that foliar sprays of NPK treatments in combination with benzyladenine treatments enhanced vegetative growth parameters, flower bud production and seed yield. Particularly, NPK at 5 g L−1 combined with 150 mg L−1benzyladenine proved to be most effective treatment in these respects.