Date palm

DATE PALM Yusur alani500315002

DATE PALM Botanical name phoenix dactylifera family: Arecaceae Originated probably from land around Iraq Cultivated in Egypt as early as 4000 BCE for wine . In Arabia it was cultivated in 6000 BCE ago Evident shows that it was cultivated in western

Pakistan in 7000 BCE (mehrgarh) Indus valley.

DATES**** The fruit is known as a date Dates are oval-cylindrical, 3–7 cm long, and

2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) diameter, and when ripe, range from bright red to bright yellow in color, depending on variety.

Three main cultivar groups of date exist : soft( 'Barhee)‘ semi-dry ('Dayri‘ , and dry ( 'Thoory)

depends on the glucose, fructose and sucrose content.

PLANTING Density

May lose up to 25% of planted offshoots1 male plant for 50 female plants

PrecocityBlooms within 3 yearsFirst commercial crop in 5-6 years

Young date palm orchard

PLANTING Precocity

Full production 8-10 to 60 yearsAfter 60-80 years productivity decreases

Tree growth1-1.5’ (30-45 cm) per yearBy 15-20 years old is 20’ tall

NATURAL POLINATION OF DATE PALM

The date palm is dioecious, having separate male and female plants. They can be easily grown from seed.

Most of them are cross pollinated it is possible between Arabian date palm and Indian sugar date P.sylvestris khajur in Bengali

Date palms can take 4 to 8 years after planting before they will bear fruit, and produce viable yields for commercial harvest between 7 to 10 years.

Mature date palms can produce 68 to 176 kilograms

In order to get fruit of marketable quality, the bunches of dates must be thinned and bagged or covered before ripening so that the remaining fruits grow larger and are protected from weather and pests such as birds.

HOW DATE PALM POLLINATION is done by skilled labourers on ladders. In some areas such as Iraq the pollinator climbs the tree using a special climbing tool that wraps around the tree trunk and the climber's back to keep him attached to the trunk while climbing. Less often the pollen may be blown onto the

female flowers by a wind machine.

STAGES OF DATES its ripen in four stages, which are known throughout the world by their Arabic names : KIMRI (unripe), - 1st 17 weeks

Green, hard, bitter, 80% moisture 50% sugars

KHLAL(full-size, crunchy), yellow, orange or red color

RUTAB - weeks 24 to 27 Half ripe, soft apex and change to light brown

TAMER(ripe, sun-dried) - weeks 28 and 29 Hazel to dark brown Wrinkled Low respiration Cells disorganized

CULTIVARS large number of date cultivars are grown.

The most important are: Ajwah — from Medina in Saudi Arabia ʿAbid Rahim from Sudan Datça — in Turkey Zahidi in iraq Tamej — in Libya Medjool in from Morocco

TYPE OF DATES

PRODUCTIONTop ten date producers — 2012(1000 metric tonnes) Egypt 1470 Iran 1066 Saudi Arabia 1050 Algeria 789 Iraq 650 Pakistan 600 Oman 270 United Arab Emirates 250 Tunisia 190 Libya 170Source:UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

CONTENTS DATES

Energy 1.178 kj Carbohydrates 75.03 g Sugars 63.6g Fiber 8g Protein 2.45 g Vitamins 55%

(A,B1,B2,B3,B4,C,E,K ,pantothenic acid) Minerals ( calcium, iron, sodium, zinc,

phosphorus) Other constituents water 20.53 g

DATES ARE GOOD FOR : Immediate energy replenishment Abdominal cancer orevention Treating constipation Weight gain Sexual health Reduce the risk of stroke Diminish allergic reaction Strengthen the bones

FRUIT FOOD USES Dry or soft dates are eaten out-of-hand, or

may be pitted and stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, and lemon peel, tahini, or cream cheese.

chopped and used in a range of sweet and savory dishes

Date nut bread, a type of cake, is very popular in the United States

spread, date syrup or "honey" called "dibs"

USES OF OTHER PARTS OF THE PLANT the palm tree is the most versatile of all indigenous

plants, and virtually every part of the tree is utilized to make functional items ranging from rope and baskets to beehives, fishing boats, and traditional dwellings Seeds: are soaked and ground up for animal feed. Their oil is suitable for use in soap and cosmetics seeds

contain 0.56–5.4% lauric acid. source of oxalic acid. The seeds are also burned to

make charcoal for silversmiths, and can be strung in necklaces

Date seeds are also ground and used in the manner of coffee beans

USES OF OTHER PARTS OF THE PLANT Fruitclusters:Stripp

ed fruit clusters are used as brooms

Leaves:In North Africa, they used for making huts. Mature leaves are also made into mats, screens, baskets and fans.

The finely ground seeds are mixed with flour to make bread

in times of scarcity.

Wood:is used for posts and rafters for huts; it is lighter than coconut and not very durable

REFERENCES https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_palm https://

www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-dates.html

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=dates+&FORM=HDRSC2

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