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Title: BROWNING AND DIEBACK OF DISTAL PARTS OF FRUIT-BEARING STRANDS IN MEJHOOL DATE PALMS

Author
item Abdul Baki, Aref
item WILSON, CLYDE - UNIV. OF CALIFORNIA
item ASLAN, SAM - NRCS, USDA
item COBB, SAM - NRCS, USDA
item BURKE, TIM - OASIS DATE GARDENS, CAL.

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2001
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Citation: ABDUL BAKI, A.A., WILSON, C., ASLAN, S., COBB, S., BURKE, T. BROWNING AND DIEBACK OF DISTAL PARTS OF FRUIT-BEARING STRANDS IN MEJHOOL DATE PALMS. HORTSCIENCE. 2002. VOL. 37. PP. 882-884.

Interpretive Summary: Date palm fruits develop on string-like structures called strands. Distal ends of these fruit-bearing strands in the Mejhool cultivar cannot prevent premature fruit drop resulting in significant yield loss. We investigated this problem by first measuring the contents of minerals - magnesium, boron and calcium - in the distal portions of the strands. Analysis of mature fruits showed extremely low sodium and high potassium contents in the affected areas of the plant. This research is of significance to the American date growers, the California Date Commission, nutritionists, dieticians and the consumers.

Technical Abstract: The mineral content of bearing 'Mejhool' date palm trees was investigated with the objective of identifying the cause of browning and dieback of distal parts of the fruit-bearing strands. Tissue analyses of leaves, fruits, healthy, and dead portions of fruit-bearing strands indicated that tissue browning and dieback appeared to be associated with accumulation of a few mineral elements. A comparison of mineral content between healthy looking and dead tissue of the fruit-bearing strands showed no accumulation of K, some accumulation of P, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn, but very high accumulation of Ca, Mg, and B. The levels of Ca, Mg and B in the distal part of the fruit-bearing strand over a two-year average were 19.3, 29.1, and 19.4 times higher than those in the healthy, proximal part of the strand. Mineral content of leaves and mature fruits were determined for comparison with those in fruit-bearing strands. Low Na and high K in mature date fruits contribute positively to the nutritional value of dates.