Assignment:

Hort: 302
Title
Production Technology of Date Palm.
Subitted To:
Sir Rashid Javad Sb.
Submitted By:
Tahir Iqbal
2011-ag-2663
6
th
Hort

College of Agriculture DG Khan
\
UAF

Production Technology of Date Palm
Scientific Class of Date Palm:
Kingdom: Pantae
Unranked: Angiosperm
Unranked: Monocot
Unranked: Commelidens
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Pohenix
Species: P.dactilifera

History of Date Palm:
Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years.
They are believed to have originated around Iraq, and have been cultivated since ancient times
from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 4000 BC The Ancient Egyptians
used the fruits to make date wine, and ate them at harvest. There is archaeological evidence of
date cultivation in eastern Arabia in 6000 BC
There is also archeological evidence of date cultivation in Mehrgarh around 7000 BC a Neolithic
civilization in what is now western Pakistan. Evidence of cultivation is continually found
throughout later civilizations in the Indus Valley, including theHarappan period 2600 to 1900 BC
In later times, traders spread dates around South West Asia, northern Africa, and Spain and Italy.
Dates were introduced into Mexico and California by the Spaniards in 1765, around Mission San
Ignacio.
A date palm cultivar, known as Judean date palm is renowned for its long-lived orthodox seed,
which successfully sprouted after accidental storage for 2000 years.This particular seed is
presently reputed to be the oldest viable seed but the upper survival time limit of properly stored
seeds remains unknown.
Fossil records show that the date palm has existed for at least 50 million years
Introduction:
The fruits of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are sweet berries with a sugar
content of more than 50%. The origin of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is
supposed to be in North Africa or Middle East. In North Africa and in the Middle East
the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a staple food that can be produced easily
underunfavourable natural and economic conditions. Normally, this palm is
cultivated for subsistence/local markets on small holder farms besides other crops.
Because of its high nutritional value, great yields and its long life (yielding up to 100
years) the date palm was already mentioned as the tree of life in the bible.

Botany:
Phoenix dactylifera L. belongs to the Palmae (= Arecaceae) family. There are
other species with eatable berries like P. atlantica A. Chev. And P. sylvestrisRoxb..
But Phoenix dactylifera L. having more nutritious and tasty berries is the only
species with economic importance.
The date palm has a single stem of 15 to 30 m. Some 12 (0-25 range) flower buds
develop during the winter in the axils of some of the leaves just below the growing
point. The leaves ( 4 m long) can live up to 7 years, depending on site conditions.
During youth stage of the palm, shoots are developing from the buds in the leave
axils. The shoots are used for vegetative propagation. The inflorescence, enveloped
in a sheath or spate, pushes through the fibre on the leaf base it originated from to a
length of 25 to 100 cm. There are 12 inflorescences every year.
The palm is dioeciously, which means there are male and female plants. The
yellowish flowers are small, attached directly to the spike lets; male flowers are
sweet-scented and have six stamens, female flowers consist of three carpels with
ovules, of which normally only one will develop into a fruit. For fruit setting,
fertilisation of the female flowers by male pollen is required, which in date palm
cultivation is not left to the wind or insects but is done traditionally by man. They
insert a piece of spike let of male flower at the moment when the female flowers are
getting open. More modern methods will collect the pollen from the males and in
combination with a carrier (such as flour) will be dusted on the female flowers with a
mechanical device.
The development of the berries doesnt take more than five month. The colour of the
ripe berries is yellow and brown red depending on the variety. There can be more
than 200 berries in one inflorescence.

Climate
The date palm grows in subtropical and arid regions. The optimal growing temperature is 32C.
Temperatures below 7C or above 45C will arrest the trees growth processes. Fruit set will
occur only if the temperature is above 13C. A commercial yield is possible only if there is a long
hot period of around 32C. Rains during harvest season are damaging the yield of most date
varieties.
Soil
Dates grow in various types of soil: light, medium and heavy, but require good drainage and air
penetration into the soil. Date palms are resistant to alkaline soil. Irrigation with saline water is
detrimental to the vegetative growth potential and reduces yield size and quality.
Varieties
About 1500 varieties are in existence. In Iraq alone there are about 630 varieties, but the main
varieties grown there are Zahdi, comprising about 43% of the total yield. Other local varieties in
Iraq include Halawi and Khadrawi. The main variety in North Africa is Deglet, while in California
itsDeglet Noor and Zahdi. The Medjoul variety is considered to be of superior quality in both
regions and elsewhere.
Varieties and countries of origin

At the end of the nineteenth century date palm were cultivated solely in the old
world. Nowadays, they cultivation takes place in many other regions of the world
(e.g. United States: California, Arizona, Texas; Mexico; Brazil; Argentina; South
Africa; Australia; Namibia). Nevertheless, the highest production is still in the Arabic
area and in the Middle East.

World Date Production 1998:
Country Quantity in MT
Iran 900.000
Egypt 750.000
Iraq 660.000
Saudi Arabia 600.000
Pakistan 535.000
Algeria 387.313
Arab Emirats250.000
Sudan 175.000
Oman 135.000
Libya 130.000
USA 019.050
Israel009.760

Propagation
Seeds and seedlings:
Propagation of date palms can be done by using the seeds (sexually) and by using
the offshoots (asexually). Using seeds 50% will develop to male date palms which
do not bear fruits. For that reason the use of offshoots (vegetative propagation) is
the most common one. Offshoots are cut with a chisel and/or machete from proven
female cultivars and transplanted into a nursery with good growing conditions (wind
protection, shade trees, soil etc.) in order to support the development of the roots.
After one year (or earlier) young date palms are transplanted to their permanent
place. The right time of transplantation depends on the development of the root
system as well as on the number of palm leaves (10 to 12 are recommended).
Sometimes offshoots already have developed roots at the mother plant. In this
cases offshoots can be planted directly.
In more intensive and specialised date palm plantations seedlings are gained by
tissue culture. Thus, to avoid the propagation of pest and diseases.

Methods of planting:
In the traditional date orchards especially in the oasis the density of palms is very
high with the intention to form an almost closed canopy. The high density provides
shade and protection from wind, thus creating a micro-climate in which the harsh
conditions of a hot and dry climate are tempered to make living conditions
somewhat more sustainable. However, the high density diminishes the opportunities
for growing secondary crops and the introduction of mechanization in date palm
cultivation.
In specialized plantations the most common planting system is in a grid of (9m X 9m)
(or 10mx10m) providing space for the use of machines as well as for secondary
crops. In case an old plantation needs a rejuvenation, young date palms are planted
very close to the old palms in order to remove them when the young palm starts to
bear fruits. Sometimes date palms are planted around a field for arable cropping
and or horticulture production in combination with other fruit trees.
The young date palms are planted in a hole (90cm deep x 90cm wide) in order to
put the roots closer to the water table. In traditional cultivation systems the alkaline
earth is removed and replaced by a mixture of organic manure, sand and ash. In
organic cultivation systems it is recommended to add also composted organic
material.
Diversification strategies:
Traditionally, intercropping with other fruit trees (citrus, pomegranates, olives,
grapes, guava) or arable crops (alfalfa, barley, beans etc.) is practised in many of
the main production areas. Without the shade provided by the date palms other
crops very often cannot grow. Organic cultivation does not allow for monoculture
systems. Especially, intercropping with alfalfa and other legumes provide an
enrichment of the soils with nitrogen as well as fodder for livestock production.
Beside a site-appropriate mixed system of date palms, arable crops and fruit trees
date plantations should be sheltered/surrounded by green fences (e.g. with
Polynesian Ironwood (Casuarina ssp.) or by stripes of Spanish Reed (Arundo
donax) within the plantation. Both are multiple use plants in arid climates.

Saplings can be propagated by seed, but this is not practical. Trees from seed will start
producing yields after 6-10 years. In addition, 50% of the trees will be male which are non-
productive. The accepted method is to plant off-shoots (suckers), taken from the base of the
mature female. They will always be a genetic copy of the parent tree. A young date palm can
produce from 3 suckers a year (Barhee) up to 30 (Medjoul). Suckers are usually planted with
roots. No rootstock is necessary. It is possible to grow cuttings from tissue cultures, but this
technique is yet to develop.
Nursery
Palms can grow in a nursery until they develop a root. It is customary to detach scions from the
mother plant system. It is possible to plant saplings year round though it is customary to plant
them in April - May.
Tree spacing
At present most varieties are planted at a density of 120 trees per hectare. In plantations with
low trees or varieties with small palms, density is ~200 trees per hectare.
Irrigation
Date palms require high quantities of water. The shape of the tree leaves also influences the
evaporation rate. The date palm does not close its stomata under extreme climate conditions,
as long as the conductivity of the water in the soil is high. Certain regions irrigate twice daily. In
many countries, it is common practice to cover the fruit bunches with paper bags to protect the
fruit from the elements (rain, dust) and from rodents. Dates grow in hot climates with high
radiation, where the evaporation rate is high.
Water consumption per hectare is high during the hot months July September. In Tunis this is
about 7,200 m3/ha during the summer, compared to 4,400 m3/ha during the months
December February.
Drip irrigation system
Most traditional date palm plantations are still irrigated by flooding or furrow systems. In
modern plantations drip systems are becoming the systems of choice: high irrigation/
fertigation efficiency, easy to operate, suitable for use with automation, irrigating only the
trees, preventing weeds, lower system costs, and better economic performance.
Fertilization applications
In California fertilizer is applied according to the size and age of the tree in a ratio of 2:1:3:1.
Following are the quantities of nitrogen applied according to the above ratio:
Young trees, up to 18 months: 0.3 kg N/tree/annum
Small trees: 0.5 1.0 kg N/tree/annum
Medium size trees: 1.5 2.0 kg N/tree/annum
Large trees: 2.5 3.5 kg N/tree/annum
It is necessary to test for microelement deficiencies and spray the foliage when necessary with
S, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn.
In Iraq it is customary to apply 20 kg of organic fertilizer per tree per annum. Annual fertilizer
consumption for fruit bearing trees.
Tree treatments
Trees are usually pruned once a year. In some growing regions trees are pruned after
harvesting while elsewhere trees are pruned in the spring - before the clusters are covered with
sacks. Fruit is thinned out in May after fruit-set when it is possible to estimate the quantity of
fruit. This is done in order to attain large, high quality and uniform fruit at the ripening stage. A
heavy fruit load can result in poor quality, and in addition can cause alternating yield quantities.
Growing season
Date palms grow throughout the year with accelerated growth during the months April -
November. During the winter months there is little palm growth. There are differences amongst
varieties. Roots develop mainly during the hot months. Blossoming begins in early spring -
February, continuing to the end of spring - May. Climate conditions and the age of the tree can
affect efflorescence. Fruit development continues 6-8 months, depending on the variety and on
climate conditions.
Uses and contents:
Beside direct consumption of the whole dates the fruits are traditionally used to
prepare a wide range of different products such as date juice concentrates (spread,
syrup and liquid sugar), fermented date products (wine, alcohol, vinegar, organic
acids) and date pastes for different uses (e.g. bakery and confectionary). Also the
by-products arising from date processing can be used for different purposes. Within
agricultural systems date press cake (by-product of date juice production) as well as
date pits can be used as animal feed-stuff (also dates falling down from palms
before maturity). In case no other uses are possible, all organic waste material
arising from date processing shall be used as a component for compost preparation
at least.
The nutritional value of dates is a high sugar content (around 50-60%), potassium
(2.5 more than bananas), calcium, magnesium and iron as well as vitamins (B1,B2)
and Niacin. People eat fresh and/or dried dates. Dried dates can easily be stored
and preserved because of the naturally high sugar content
Dates nutrition facts:
Botanically; they are the fruits grow on the palm tree belonging to the family of Arecaceae in the
genus:Phoenix and scientifically named as Phoenix dactylifera. The tree is believed to originate
in the lands on the banks of Nile and Euphrates Rivers of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Date
palm is now grown extensively for its edible fruits under warmer climates across all the
continentsThe date fruit is a "drupe" in which outer fleshy part (exocarp and mesocarp)
surrounds a shell (the pit or stone) of hardened endocarp with a seed inside. The fruit is oval to
cylindrical in shape, 37 cms long, and 23 cms diameter, and when ripe, range from bright red
to depending on the variety.There are many varieties of date palm cultivated. Amir Hajj,
Saidy, 'Khadrawy' and 'Medjool' is some of the important varieties that are popular for their
superior quality.
Health benefits of dates:
Wonderfully delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits packed with an impressive
list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for normal growth,
development and overall well-being.
Fresh dates compose of soft, easily digestible flesh and simple sugars like fructose and
dextrose. When eaten, they replenish energy and revitalize the body instantly. For these
qualities, they are being used to break the fast during Ramadan month since ancient
times.The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which prevents LDL cholesterol absorption in the
gut. Additionally, the fiber works as a bulk laxative. It, thus, helps to protect the colon
mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer-causing
chemicals in the colon.
They contain health benefiting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins.
Tannins are known to possess anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic
(prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties.
They are moderate sources of vitamin-A (contains 149 IU per 100 g), which is known to
have antioxidant properties and essential for vision. Additionally, it is also required
maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in
vitamin A is known to help to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
They compose antioxidant flavonoids such as -carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin. These
antioxidants found to have the ability to protect cells and other structures in the body
from harmful effects of oxygen-free radicals. Thus, eating dates found to offer some
protection from colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
Zea-xanthin is an important dietary carotenoid that selectively absorbed into the retinal
macula lutea, where it thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering
functions. It thus offers protection against age-related macular degeneration, especially in
elderly populations.
some serving tips:
Dry and soft dates are usually eaten out-of-hand.
They can be stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, candied orange and cream
cheese.
They can also be chopped and used with fruit salad and in a range of sweet and savory
dishes.
Dates are also being used to prepare juice and Jallab(a type of syrup popular in the
Middle East and made from dates, grape molasses, and rose water).
Date fruit allergy:
is a rare occurrence. The fruits are safe to eat in infants, and pregnant woman. However, in
some sensitized individual to birch family pollen, exposure to date palm pollen may elicit cross-
hypersensitivity reactions. It is therefore, advised to avoid any food preparations that contain
date palm products in these individuals.
Biological methods of plant protection
Most of the problems concerning disease and pests have the following causes:
(1) Monoculture cultivation and use of non-resistant and/or of few varieties
(2) Insufficient distance between species that grow to the same height; failure to
trim agro forestry systems.
(3) Unfavourable soil conditions like degenerated or poor soil, soil not deep enough
for roots, lack of organic material, high salinity etc.
(4) Unsuitable site conditions (deep water table, insufficient irrigation, drought,
temperature, high rainfall level etc.)
In case diseases and/or pests are occurring in a date plantation the overall situation
of a date plantation has to be analysed in order to identify the reasons. Thus it is
possible to develop site appropriate strategies to prevent the outbreak of
diseases/pests in the long run.
. Diseases:
fungal diseases:
Omphalia root rot:
Triggered by Omphaliapigmentata or O. tralucida. Thisfungus doesnt exist in the stem, only in
the roots
Diplodia disease:
Triggered by Diplodia spp. Can occur in young cultivations.
Terminal bud rot:
Triggered by Ceratocystisparadoxa. Rot of the terminal
buds in older palms.
.
Pests:
Cottony cushion scale:
Parlatoriablanchardii and Phoenicoccusmarlatti arewide spread. Sucking on the leaves leads to
early dead of the leaves. Cottonycushion scales need humidity and wind free areas therefore
they exist inside ofthe plantation. Biological control is done with natural predators like bugs of
the
speciesPharascymnus, Cybocephalus and Chilocorusbipustulatus but also byappropriate
methods of cultivation.
Caterpillars:
Most common are the caterpillars of the butterfly Ephestiacautella
andBatrachedraamydraula, which eat the leaves and penetrate into the fruits.
Bacillus Thuringiensis is used for biological control.
Bugs:
Rhinoceros bug of the species Oryctes spp. They eat tissue of the young
leaves and destroy the area of vegetation. There are different possibilities of
biological control: Removal of their hotbeds like rotten plant material and green
manure. Artificial preparation of hotbeds for catching, biological control by the
fungusMetarrhiziumanisopliae and the virus Rhabdionvirusoryctes.
Rodents:
As in other palm crops rats, mice and other rodents may cause damages on the
trunk as well as on the fruits. For that reason it is recommended to support
predators like owls with the objective to control the population of rodents in the date
plantation. Another mechanical way of reducing fruit damages is to place a
mechanical device around the stem in order to make it impossible for rodents to
climb up the tree.

Regular activities during a growing Seasons:
In intensive date plantations machines (cranes) are used up-lifting the workers for
artificial pollination, maintenance work and harvesting.
(a) Artificial pollination
(b) Protection of inflorescences by bags
(c) Bunch management

Harvesting and post-harvest treatment
Harvesting
The colour of the dates indicates the right harvesting time. dates are partially-ripe showing a
yellow or red colour (depends on the variety). Atthis stage some dates are already harvested in
spite of the fact that the moistureand tannin content is still very high. Most of the dates are
harvested at the fully-ripestage showing a colour. Furthermore, the sugar content is higher
and/or moistureand tannin content is lower.Harvesting is labour intensive as dates are hand
picked. In intensive dateplantations cranes are used to lift up the workers.
Preparation, transport and storage:
After harvesting dates are sorted, washed in drinking water, air dried (45C), again
sorted and packed. Sorting of dates is done manually. While sorting workers can
remove dates with any indication of infestation as well as other particles and
damaged dates.
Fruit Harvesting

Sorting

Washing

Drying

Sorting

Packing

Storage

Air-drying should result with a moisture content of 20% or below in order to prevent
incidence of molds and yeasts. Storage of dates depends on anticipated duration of
storage as well as on the variety of dates. The optimum storage temperature is 0
Cwhich allows for a storage period of 6 up to 12 months. Semi-soft dates like Deglet
Noor and Halawy have a longer storage life than soft dates like Medjool and Barhi.
For longer storage durations it is possible to freeze the dates (-18C).
.
Product specifications and quality standards:
There is a wide range of date products offered in the market like syrup, juice, jams,
preserves and condiments. Dates are often used as a component of food
preparations like sweets, confectionary, breakfast foods, desserts, baking products
and dried fruit and nut mixtures as well. The main share of the organic date
production is sold as fresh or dried fruit.
.
Date Marking:
The "date of minimum durability" (preceded by the words "best before") shall
be declared by the day, month and year in uncoded numerical sequence except that
for products with a shelf-life or more than three months but not more than 18
months,
the month and year will suffice, and for those with a shelf-life of 18 months or more,
the year will suffice. The month may be indicated by letter in those countries where
such use will not confuse the consumer. In the case of products requiring a
declaration of month and year or year only, and the shelf-life of the product is valid
to the end of a given year, the expression "end (stated year)" may be used as an
alternative.

Yields:
During the fourth year trees bear fruit, but the first commercial yield is attained at age 5 - 6
years with 8 10 kg/tree. At age 13 the yield will be 60 80 kg/tree. In improved varieties and
in more populated plantations it is possible to attain yields of 100 150 kg/tree and a general
yield of 11 17 tons/ha.
The global average, in general, is 5 tons/ha. Date palms continue to produce high yields for 60
80 years.
Selection and storage:
Dates are readily available throughout the groceries' year around. Some varieties of fresh, soft,
good-quality fruits, however, are found from September through December. In certain dry
regions of Africa, they picked while just reached maturity and allowed to ripen inside the jars.In
the stores, one may come across soft, semi-dry, and dried types put for sale. At home, store
them at room temperature in cool place inside an air-seal container where they stay well for
several months.
Refereces:
www.scribd.com/Akash%20Tahir