Effect of different sources of pollen and bagging bunches on yield and fruits quality of Barhee date palm under New Valley conditions, Egypt

Document Type : Research article

Authors

Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University (Assiut branch), Assiut, Egypt

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out during two successive seasons of 2021 and 2022 to study the influence of different pollen sources and bagging techniques on fruit set, yield, and fruits quality attributes of Barhee date palm trees in Farafra, New Valley conditions. Four pollen sources were compared: a local male (Balady), and three commercial varieties (Fard 4, Ghanamy, and Abdel-jabbar). Bunches pollinations were followed by immediate bagging, one-week delayed bagging, and unbagged. Results revealed that using pollen sources other than the local Balady, particularly Abdel-jabbar, improved initial and final fruit set, bunch weight, and total yield. Additionally, bagging bunches immediately after pollination with these alternative pollen sources enhanced these parameters. Fruit weight, pulp weight, and total soluble solids (TSS %) significantly influenced by using pollen sources other than Balady, with Abdel-jabbar again demonstrating the most favourable outcomes. Fruit length, diameter, and total crude fiber content remained largely unaffected. Abdel-jabbar pollen resulted in the highest total sugars and the lowest reducing sugars, while Fard 4 exhibited the highest levels of reducing sugars. Overall, the study suggests that using non-local pollen sources, particularly Abdel-jabbar, combined with immediate post-pollination bagging, can significantly enhance fruit set, yield, and fruits quality of Barhee date palms.

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Archives of Agriculture Sciences Journal
Volume 7, Issue 2
August 2024
Pages 64-79

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