KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARD...personal photo with his CV including the full name, phone...

KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARD

Volume No. 05Issue No. 02

December 2013

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Next year, all of us shall meet in the greatest and most enormous date palm symposium in its fifth version to be hosted by the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. The symposium used to be held by the UAEU once every four years in cooperation with KIDPA and some specialized regional and international organizations with wide Arab and international participation of some elite date palm scientists all over the world..

The said symposium is considered a landmark for Abu Dhabi and an extra value for the UAE in the world of date palm symposiums. The first symposium was held between 8-1- March 1998, the Second between 25-27 March 2001, the third between 19-26 March 2006 and the fourth between 15-17 Match 2010. Now, we are about to open the fifth symposium of date palm next March 2014.

However, the symposium aims at providing an opportunity to update scientific knowledge and information in respect of different aspects of production as well as increasing, protecting and marketing date palm. It aims as well to display and compare modern experiences in the UAE with their counterparts in date producing countries so as to support the international technical cooperation in different areas of the chain of producing date.

Through its long history, the symposium provided valuable opportunity to exchange information, expertise and opinions between specialized scientists in date palm and the important persons in charge of date industry all over the world. This shows the increasing interest in the date palm tree by the wise government of the UAE who provided positive academic atmosphere that helped in giving the chance for this wide participation for many researchers and scientists specialized in date palm all over the world.

Nahayan Mabarak Al NahayanMinister of Culture ,Youth & Community DevelopmentChairman of Khalifa International Date Palm Award Board of Trustees

Friends of the Date Palm are to meet

Our Tree

Out of the keen interest of Khalifa International

Date Palm Award Secretariat General to spread the

awareness and specialized knowledge in date palm

industry across the world.

Therefore, we invite all academics, specialist

researchers, producers and date palm (the blessed

tree) lovers to participate in either languages Arabic

or English in related matters and issues to date palm

such as (cultivation, disease prevention, maintenance,

food processing, marketing,...) materials should satisfy

publication criteria set out in the magazine.

We value and appreciate your good efforts made to

serve the blessed tree.

Materials are to be sent to Head of Media Committee

via email address: [email protected]

Invitation to Researches,

writers and interested

Scientists

The whole world celebrated the world Food Day last October which coincided with the day of establishing United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This year the celebration was under the logo “Sustainable Balanced Diets for Food Security & Nutrition“ so as to throw light in the importance of sustainable balanced diets to achieve food security and nutrition and to create as well the solutions to meet and treat malnutrition. Reports issued by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicated that malnutrition imposes today huge costs borne by the society in different forms.

It is not by chance that the date palm tree is considered as one of the most important pivots of Food security and food sustainability in the region and the world as per the classification of FAO. Moreover, it is considered one of the pivots of food security at the national level in the UAE. Balanced and healthy diets are considered an important element in the strategy of food security and human development of our wise government because of its direct connection with man’s health and his luxury since man as such is the target of development in the UAE and an important corner in the Emirates Vision 2012 which invites to increase efforts to fight diseases resulting from improper styles of life, in addition to the diseases resulting from bad habits so as to call for early intervention to encourage sound health habits to increase the chances of enjoying better life.

It is quite clear that the blessed tree occupied an important room in the strategy of the State sustainable development in respect of providing support to national farmers in addition to a number of services associated with the process of agriculture, production, marketing and manufacturing. Emirates dates start to take the lead in the Show – windows of halls and sale outlets in most airports of the world and shopping centers for their quality and the creation process that associated with this industry particularly in the last decade.

The State contributed in sustaining its pioneering position in serving and honoring workers in the field of date palm cultivation and date production at the national and international level. Thus KIDPA came as the truest expression of HH Sheik Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE (God protect him) in his appreciation of the date palm tree and the workers who serve it, this is not to mention the continuous follow-up of t HH. First Lit. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abdu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the interest of HH. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Depuy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Dr. Abdelouahhab ZaidSecretary General of Khalifa International Date Palm AwardEditor in Chief

Date is a Sustainable Balanced Diet

Our Message

Publication criteria in the magazine

l The Articles should be new, dedicated particularly to the Award’s magazine, and have not published before.

l Articles are to be in a soft copy, whether in Arabic or English, and should be supported by specialized sources and references at the end.

l Researches and studies should be accompanied by the required scientific photographs of high quality (digital / high resolution).

l Articles and photographs are to be submitted to the magazine by e-mail, or to be sent to the Award’s P.O. Box on a CD with a typed and printed hard copy.

l The magazine is not obliged to return the articles back, whether published or not, to the participants.

l A writer of an article should enclose a personal photo with his CV including the full name, phone number, email and P.O. Box, in addition to the bank account number in English (Name, Name of the Bank, Account Number and Swift Code) in order to allow sending him the due amount in case the article is published, in compliance with the Magazine’s financial system.

l All Articles in the magazine necessarily reflect the views of their respective authors and do not oblige Khalifa International Date Palm Award.

l Scientific subjects in the magazine are arranged according to technical considerations.

l The Magazine welcomes readers from all the date palm lovers around the world, who contribute in deepening the knowledge and building a sustainable society.

All issues of the Blessed Tree magazine are available

on KIDPA website: www.kidpa.ae

Scientific Supervision Board

Prof. Ghaleb AlhadramiDean’s Office, College of Food and

Agriculture, UAE University

Dr.Helal Humaid Saad Al KaabiDirector of Gardens & Recreation Facilities

Div. Southern Region

Dr. Hassan ShabanaDate Palm Global Network

Magazine CorrespondencesAll technical and scientific materials are

to be addressed to the Head of theMedia Committee, Editorial Manager,

on the following address:

P.O. Box 42781, Abu Dhabi, UAE Mobile No. 0097150 6979645 [email protected]

www.kidpa.ae

The Blessed TreeA seasonal scientific magazine

specialized in date palms

Published byKhalifa International Date Palm Award

National Media Council Permit

No. 1/107006/29505ISBN978-9948-15-335-1

Volume No. 05, Issue No. 02Muharram 1435 / December 2013

Honorary Chairman

H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan

Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, Chairman of

the Award Board of Trustees

General Coordinator

Dr. Abdelouahhab ZaidAward Secretary General

Editorial Manager

Dr. Emad SaadHead of Media Committee

[email protected]

Legal DirectorDr. Helal Humaid Saad Al Kaabi

PhotographyJack Jabour, Nezar Ballout

Amjad Dourgham

Proof ReaderMr. Mahmoud Badr

Design, Layout and Printing

P.O. Box 33644, Abu Dhabi, U A E Tel. 00971 2 6395559

Fax: 00971 2 6395558 [email protected] www.arevagroup.ae

Kidpa announces winners of its fifth session

“Khalifa International” Attracts Lovers of the Blessed Tree Participating in the Emirates

International Festival 2013

International Journalists Tour to the Facilities of Date Cultivation & Production in the UAE

KIDPA Opens Nomination for its 6th Session 2014

Khalifa`s sponsorship of the award raises its status locally and internationally

10

34

06

Contents

Nahayan Confirmed the Award Intention to Enhance the UAE International Position

26

29

32

Serve and develop Date Palm Tree cultivation

27

Nahayan Mabarak honors winners of Khalifa International Date Palm Award in its 5th Session 2013

KHALIFA`S SPONSORSHIP OF THE AWARD RAISES ITS STATUS LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARD 6

H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award, extended his deep thanks, appreciation and gratitude to the sponsor of the Award, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, President of the UAE, (may God protect him). He hailed his great and generous efforts which H.H. has exerted to achieve the comprehensive development of the UAE community since the date palm is one of the pivots of sustainable development to achieve food security at the level of the world.

The above was said in the speech delivered by H.H. during the ceremony of honoring the Winners of Khalifa International Date Palm Award in its fourth session on Sunday the 11th of March 2012 in the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The ceremony took place in the presence of many Arab Ministers of Agriculture, the accredited Ambassadors in the country, in addition to the presidents of the regional and international organizations, a number of researchers and people who are interested in date palm, Members

Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces for his support to the international Award which confirms H.H. vision in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development on the generous land of the UAE. He expressed his pride in his wise vision of the future of agriculture in the UAE in general and the date palm in particular. He added that “we are proud of H.H. care of the UAE to be always a pioneering example of successful work, distinguished achievement in all fields”.

He addressed the same true thanks to H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs for his kind care, personal and strong support and the support of his Ministry to this Award so as to achieve its set goals and ambitions.

H.H. congratulated the honored personalities by the Award in its 4th session at the top of whom comes H.E. DR. Fahd Bin Abdulrahamn Balghunaim Minister of Agriculture in Saudi Arabia, H.E. Helal Salem Al Khaili, the former Minister of Agriculture in the Sultanate of Oman, HE Mohammad Ibrahim Obeid Alah, and H.E. Abdullah Al Shamsi of the

The Award

is a correct

step forward

to honor

producers,

farmers and

lovers of the

blessed tree

world wide

of the Scientific Committee, and the honored and the winners of the Award in its fourth session 2012.

H.H. extended his true thanks and appreciation as well to First Lit. General H.H. Sheikh Mohammad

THE BLESSED TREE DECEMBER 2013 7

UAE for their distinguished efforts and influential role in serving the date palm, the workers in the palm tree cultivation sector and date production at the regional and international levels.

H.H. congratulated all the winners of the Award categories in its fourth session. The winners are:

Dr. Ahmed Saif Mohammad Al Flassi of the UAE, for the category of the best distinguished personality, and for the best developmental project, the Farmer Services Center of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, UAE, was honored as the first winner, whereas the second rank was awarded to Al Ain Municipality.

As for the best distinguished technology category, the first winner was Mr. Abdul Hameed Dijfeel of Algeria and the second winner is Dr. Nezar Husein of the Ministry of Environment, State of Qatar. As for the category of the distinguished producers, the First rank was cancelled whereas the second rank winner was equally given between Mr. Hamed Ali Salman Al Mizzroui and Mr. Mansour Ali Salman Al Mizzroui, UAE. As for the category of distinguished researches and studies, the first winner was the International Center

for Agricultural Research of the Dried Areas (ICARDA) of the Syrian Arab Republic, and the second winner is Dr. Saher Mohammad Al Akkabi of Egypt.

H.H. asserted that the Award, despite its short history, has become pioneering internationally and a land mark in the field of date palm and subject of great appreciation and respect at all concerned departments in the palm tree worldwide. They all follow up the march of the winners with admiration and appreciation and show interest in their scientific production and distinguished contributions. Moreover, they realize the role of this award in disseminating energy and activity into the efforts of research and development among researchers and farmers. Furthermore, it contributes in developing knowledge and publishing the results of studies and experiments carried out in the country, the region and the world. “Our celebration today is an occasion on which we hope to be capable of the expectations of H.H. the President (may God protect him) in responding to his continuous instructions and directives concerning quality and distinction in all aspects of the work we are doing not only in the sector of

date palm but also in all areas and at all levels”, H.H. added.

H.H. extended his deep thank, high appreciation and gratitude to the leader of the procession H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, (May God protect him) who founded the Award and granted his lofty name to it as a procedure to confirm the importance of Agriculture and to show the care of H.H. of the date palm in achieving the balanced and sustainable renaissance and a serious desire to found the pivots of the Emirates Renaissance on solid foundations of science, research and study. We want to assert to H.H. that we will fulfill his expectations through serious work and fruitful endeavor towards what is better and greater. This Award shall always remain an example of improvement, distinction and commitment. It shall even be a tool to pursue the latest and a model for celebrating successful work and useful achievement.

H.H. the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award added that we all together, brothers and sisters, are interested in creating continuous development in the field of agriculture and date palm production. In fact,

8 KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARD

we are harvesting what has been grown by the founder of the State, H.H. the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, who established the pivot of a great agricultural renaissance where great care and interest was given to the palm tree. Under his leadership, the Emirates became a pioneering international center for date palm cultivation and production and for the comprehensive and integrated study of this blessed tree.

H.H. directed special greeting for every participant of each of the categories of the award. He highly appreciated what each of them represents of success and achievement in the area of date palm. He wished they would always be good examples for their colleagues and that their obtaining of the award should be a source of motivation for further achievement.

He addressed the winners by saying “If we are celebrating today your distinguished achievements, we do express in fact our great confidence in the status of science and scientists on constituting the procession of the world. We do express our absolute satisfaction that with your work,

efforts and continuous care for improvement and development, you will always be inspiring examples not only for your colleagues but also for the coming generations”.

H.H. thanked all the members of the Award Board of Trustees for their care and interest. He thanked as well all establishments and authorities which cooperate with the Management of

the Award appreciating the role of all and their remarkable contribution in this regard. He prayed to God that work will go in this way to support and develop palm cultivation and date production hoping that this Award would be, God Willing, an important tool which encourages work, creation and innovation in the march of the State and the world as well.

9THE BLESSED TREE DECEMBER 2013

H.E. Aziz AkhannouchMinister of Agriculture and Marine FisheriesMorocco

Mr Aziz AKHANNOUCH was born in 1961 in Tafraout. Holder of a Management degree from Sherbrooke Management School/Canada, before being Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Aziz AKHANNOUCH is the president of Akwa

Group, major hydrocarbon media and real estate 50 entities Holding Company. He was also the ex-president of Sous Massa Draa Region.


H.E. Dr. Tariq Moosa Al-ZadjaliDirector General of the Arab Organization

for Agricultural Developmen

Present position : Director-General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development(AOAD), -League of Arab States. Chairman, Member and Supervisor of the following developmental and academic Committees and Programs:

Chairman of the Steering Committee(SC) of the African- Arab Joint Action Plan on Agricultural Development and Food Security(JAP). Chairman of the Academic Committee of The Arab Technical Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries,, Syria. Chairman of The Arab Program for Integrated and Sustainable Rural and Agricultural Development in Darfur, Sudan.

Elected governor in The Arab Water Council, 2010-2012. Chairman of the Arab Program for Fish Culture in Fresh

Water. Supervisor for The Arab Program for date Palm Pests Control ,The Arab Program for Aquaculture, The Arab Program for Animal Health and The Arab Program for Agricultural and Fisheries Training.

Some Contributions to Agriculture and Food Security : Participated in many Arab, Regional and International Conferences and Meetings. Presented many scientific papers on Agriculture and Food Security before a number of specialized Arab, Regional and International Conferences, Gatherings and Meetings. Prepared and Participated in the Execution of a number of scientific papers and reports on Arab and International Agricultural development and Food Security.


Hon. Ali Mustafa Mohammed Al-TajalliUnited Arab Emirates

His interest in date palm the wonder tree was highly influenced by the words of the late Ruler’s - His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi May Allah have Mercy on them and under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, May Allah Protect him.

He thus founded Green Coast Nurseries on 04.07.1998 which is dedicated to the production & plantation of date palm trees of the best variety & quality and to achieve excellence in this field. He aimed to provide the people with guaranteed good quality of date palm plants at an

affordable price which have been developed through the modern technique of tissue culture, free of all diseases.

The production of Green Coast nurseries covers the UAE, Gulf countries, Middle East, East Asian countries and Africa and is famous for their knowledge & caring of date palm. GCN is referred to as a source of information by most farmers and persons interested in date palm. He also established, Al Siji Date Farms as a prestigious governmental project under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, May Allah Protect him. It is now one of the biggest producers of the best kinds of dates & manufacturing of various by-products.


Distinguished Research / Studies - First Winner

Abu Dhabi Food Control AuthorityUnited Arab Emirates

Date paste, pitted and minced, is a fast becoming popular date’s product in United Arab Emirates. It›s mainly consumed as paste, but also used as a major ingredient in bakery and confectionery industries for cookies, sweet breads, candy bars. One of the main problems facing date paste is tending to get harder during storage. Date seeds considered a waste product of many date processing plants producing pitted dates, date syrup and date confectionery, although it’s contained higher amount of dietary fiber and antioxidants compare to date flesh. Thus, utilization of such waste to improve the quality of date past is important to date consumption and cultivation. This study aimed to enriched

date paste with seed poweder to increse dietary fiber and antioxidants, Improveing firmness, and utilizing dates seed. Dried and roasted seed powder were used in 3, 6 and 9 % to formulate different products of dates paste. The quality of date paste enriched with date seed powder was evaluated by measuring proximate analysis, dietary fiber, phenolics and antioxidants. Sensory evaluation test was conducted to study consumer preferences. Enriched date paste with 3% dry seed powder was the best formulation that showed improved firmness, dietary fiber, antioxidant activity and sensory quality of the product.


Distinguished Research / Studies : Second WinnerNational Institute for Agronomic Research

Morocco

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) is a monocotyledoneus woody perennial and dioecious plant with a long generation life time. Traditional and modern genetic improvement in date palm need long time and considerable funds. The molecular markers can assist the selection and give better and efficient research strategies. Several researches cited in this paper showed the use molecular markers as tools to evaluate genetic diversity and genotyping of date palm cultivars. Based on statistical analysis, some informative molecular markers which are associated to some phenological characters (Bayoud resistance and sex palm) in date palm. Previous study of the date-palm mitochondrial DNA had evidenced two plasmid-like DNAs that seem to be linked to resistance to Bayoud disease but these markers cannot distinguish both studied cultivars. The research using several hundred RAPD and ISSR primers allowed

genetic diversity analysing, genotyping, identifying several markers candidates which can distinguish partially or totally between resistant and susceptible cultivars of date palm and detect palm sex in very early stage. In fact, in order to select interesting primers, a total of 550 RAPD primers 10-Decamer were tested on date palm DNA and 170 of them were selected permitting identification of more than 300 polymorphic markers which are able to detect polymorphism and genetic diversity and to identify date-palm cultivars. The percentage of polymorphism may reach 70% and 1–5 polymorphic bands per primer were generally generated. For ISSR primers, the PCR analysis applied to 45 primers (short sequences) tested, allowed the selection of 21 primers that showed a high rate of polymorphism among 45 date palm cultivars studied.


Distinguished Producers : First WinnerGulf Palm Company for General TradingKuwait

Worked in THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION & Progressive for the following Assignments:

Assistant Programmer – Programmer – Data base Administrator – Data base Supervisor– Assistant Manager for Computer Department.

Period from the Year 1985 until the Year 1990. : Holding Participant & Contributor in the African Muslim Committee; currently under the name [ Direct Aid Society ] – Volunteer

Work. General Manager (GM) of National Dairy Company; specialised in Dairy & Milk Production.

Founding Establisher & General Manager (GM) of Gulf Palms General Trading & Contracting Company [ Tissue Cultured Palms Centre ]. Founding Establisher & General Manager (GM) of Al BARAKA International Company for Food Stuff [ Al BARAKA Dates ].

Founding Establisher & General Manager (GM) of Al BARAKA International Real Estate Company.


The Best New Technique : First WinnerDr. Abdullah Mohammed Al Hamdan

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The large amount of fresh dates at their Khalal stage of maturity produced in the date palm regions requires additional concerted efforts exerted by researchers and investment and development sectors to look for new marketing channels to get advantage of this nationally strategic product. An important channel would be preserving fresh dates through utilizing controlled atmosphere technology based on scientific approach. This applied technology aimed at studying the success of controlled atmosphere (CA) technology to extend the shelf life and maximally preserve the fresh quality of the most famous cultivars among Saudi dates which is widely consumed at the Khalal (Balah) stage of maturity, namely the Barhi cultivar distinguished by its delicious sweet taste and distinctive texture. Moreover, Barhi cultivar is internationally famous for its superb quality at the Khalal

stage of maturity in addition to the high productivity of its palm trees.

This technology was performed at a semi commercial level using one of the most modern controlled atmosphere (CA) systems available today. The system is comprised of well designed and sealed refrigerated rooms with full automatic control of storage temperature and concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases inside the rooms. The project studied three important aspects, namely, engineering aspects of the CA process, quality aspects of the stored fruits, in addition to the economical feasibility of production, which in all represent the major pillars for a successfully feasible technical and economical preservation of fresh dates at a commercial level in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


The Best New Technique : Second WinnerEng. Amin ZoubaTunisia

A growing medium is a material that is used instead of ordinary soils as a support in plant production. This substitution is made to achieve a better control of irrigation and fertilization during the culture period, ensuring therefore an increased productivity, a steady growth and a shorter growing vegetative cycle.

In order to satisfy an ever growing demand in growing media for landscape and horticultural crops Arabic countries have no choice but to import enormous quantities of growing media such as peat moss, coco peat, perlite and vermiculite. Looking for local substitutes is therefore of great importance for the Arab world, especially when knowing that the prices of such products are in a nonstop increase year after year.

In this work we developed a new plant growing media with excellent growing properties based on a largely available plant material in the Arab and Muslim world: the date palm leaf midribs. Date palm midrib peat proved itself as a quality growing media that could be the right answer as substitute to expensive imported products. This substrate is based on a biomass that is considered as a date palm waste; also its production process and additives are relatively not expensive so it can easily compete and beat the prices of imported products. A date palm midrib based peat can even transform Arabic countries from exclusive importers to exporters thanks to the huge quantities that can be produced annually.


The Best Development Project : First WinnerGeneral Board of Date Palm – Ministry of Agriculture

Iraq

The FAO as leading agency is implementing of the project “Rehabilitation of the Date Palm Sector in cooperation with the general state board of date palm GBDP, Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq.

The project is envisaged to create productive employment, and to improve food security and nutrition in Iraq through rehabilitation and upgrading of the date palm sector. An important activity that took place in the project is the assessment of date palm production and potential market for the bulk production of the date fruit. Collection of the data covered all the middle and southern governorates.. The assessment presents a clear image of the current status of date palm sector in Iraq and a vision for its rehabilitation in

a value chain context while recognizing the respective roles of the state and taking into consideration good agriculture practices (GAP). This assessment provided a sound basis of information to enable delivery of the goals of the project. The GBDP planned program to replant destroyed orchards in Iraq. The mass production of offshoots by the use of promising techniques of tissue culture will promote the availability of high quality varieties of date palm. Date palm tissue culture laboratory set up including glasshouse, plastic house, and multi span and provided with required equipment, chemicals, and glassware. The impact of training courses in tissue culture and bio technology of the GBDP staff is a significant and measurable increased of subject matter knowledge and skills


The Best Development Project : Second WinnerDr. Hamid Ibrahim El MouslyEgypt

The main project idea is to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit and creative abilities of the populace in villages by helping them rediscover their own resources, i.e. creating a new interface between these resources and their contemporary needs. The date palm secondary products (e.g., the palm midrib) have been chosen as an example, because the palm is an essential element of the flora – and on important figure in the cultural history – in the Arab and Islamic countries.

The project mission is to enable the members of local communities in villages, especially the poor, scientifically, technologically and economically so that they may turn into active participants in the development of their local communities. Thus, the objectives of decrease of poverty,

guarantee of sustainable livelihoods and preservation of the

environment could be reached.

Project Methodology

The poverty-hit rural areas have been identified in Egypt

(Menia, Asiut and Sohag provinces in Upper Egypt). Menia

governorate has been chosen, because it includes 42% of

the poorest villages in the three governorates. A reliable

data base has been developed and an intensive field study

has been conducted to choose the village among the 11

poorest villages in Menia for the conduction of the pilot

project according to welldefined criteria.


Distinguished Figure : WinnerDr. Mohammed Saeed Al Makki

Jordan

The expert unique criterion for work throughout his research and consultancy period (1975-2013) is that maintainace of consistent good quality of the hygienic packaged dates begins from efficient agricultural practices, proper storage and transportation conditions to protect the raw material from mechanical damage, contamination, and direct sunshine, and ends at consumer table of the finished date product.

Ph.D degree in 1975 in Food Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. M.Sc. Degree in 1971 from same institute in Food Technology. Bsc. Degree in 1965 in Agricultural Science from Ain Shams University, Egypt.

In 1975 worked as Dates Researcher at Dates and Palm Research Center, Bagdad. In 1975 joint College of Agricultural, Department of Food Science, Basra, Iraq.

During the period, the expert delivered course in Dates Technology. In 1982 Joint the FAO regional Project for the near East and North Africa (NENADATES) as Dates Handling and Packaging Expert. From 1983 up to 1991 the FAO Expert was attached to another FAO Saudi Project, Hofuf. During 1992-1996 he was appointed at Savola Company as Technical General Manager of the Savola Dates Co., Jeddah.

During the period 1996-2001, Joint Fama Holding Co. Ltd., Riyadh as General Manager of Al Mohamadiah Dates Factory, Riyadh. He was later appointed in the same company as Food Consultant to follow up expansion of new dates projects of the dates plant.

In 2002 he completed assignment with UN-SCANAGRI project, Denmark A/S, as Dates Product Developer for North Africa (Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco).


Forces, and the follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Depuy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs.

H.H., the Minister, looked over the technical and financial report of the Award works in its five session in addition to the journalist portfolio and the achievements obtained by the Award in “ The Palm Tree competition in the Eyes of the World”. He added that this is an additional indicator of the authenticity of the Award in its communication with all groups of local community by exploiting the art of photography as a means to develop the public awareness in the importance of Date Palm and to devote the culture of date palm. Moreover, H.H. approved the Award administrative and journalist plan for its sixth session 2014.

It is worth mentioning that the UAEU provided last year the new administrative offices for the Award General Secretariat at the Building of the Islamic Institute in Al Ain.

HeADeD THe SIxTH PeRIODICAl MeeTINg OF THe MeMBeRS OF THe BOARD OF TRUSTeeS

IN SeRvINg THe DATe PAlM TRee UNDeR THe leADeRSHIP OF KHAlIFA BIN ZAyeD Al NAHyAN

NAHAYAN CONFIRMED THE AWARD INTENTION TO ENHANCE THE UAEINTERNATIONAL POSITION

H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award,headed yesterday Sunday the 3rd of March 2013 in the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, the sixth periodical meeting of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award in the presence of all members and the Rapporteur of the Board of Trustees where he reviewed the agenda and hailed the efforts of the General Secretariat and the members of the Board of Trustees for what has been achieved during the fifth session.

HH stressed the intention of the Award to enhance the position of the UAE in serving the palm tree under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president (God protect him), the support of H.H. First Lit. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abdu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed


technical and logistic support to Abu Dhabi New York University so as to enable it fulfill its obligations as per the Memorandum of Understanding.

In its turn, Abu Dhabi – New York University will carry out all processes of genetic sequencing technology and the genomes examination submitting periodical reports to the UAEU about the progress of researches and their results. It will also collect all reports and articles related to researches in order to publish the results of the scientific research in international peer-reviewed magazines.

On his part, Dr. Fabio Piano the Academic Vice Chancellor of Abu Dhabi – New York University expressed his happiness for signing this Memo. which would enhance the frames of scientific cooperation with the UAEU. He hailed the pioneering role of the UAE in serving the blessed tree in words and actions at the regional and international levels.

Dr. Al Noaimi confirmed that this Memorandum comes under the instructions of H.H Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, to establish the relations of cooperation with all competent authorities world round to raise the level of scientific research in the UAEU and its positive impact on local community.

The Memo was signed by Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi Vice–Chancellor of the UAEU and Dr. Fabio Piano the Academic Vice – Chancellor of Abu Dhabi New York University. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Abdelwouehhab Ziad General Secretary of KIDPA and Director of Date Palm Research Center.

IN THe PReSeNCe OF HH NAHAyAN MABARAK Al NAHAyAN

UAeU COOPeRATeS wITH ABU DHABI New yORK UNIveRSITyTO DISCUSS THe geNeTIC SeqUeNCINg OF lOCAl DATeS

A MEMO. OF UNDERSTANDING THAT CONCORDS WITH THE AMBITIONS OF BOTH PARTIES, SERVE AND DEVELOP DATE PALM TREE CULTIVATION

In the presence of H.H Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, and H.E. Dr. Fabio Piano, the Academic Vice Chancellor of Abu Dhabi – New York University, the UAEU, represented by Date Palm Research Center signed a Memo of understanding with Abu Dhabi – New York University to enhance technical cooperation between the two parties by setting out the terms and conditions of cooperation to carry out the scientific research related to the Genome Sequencing of the different kinds of local dates for recognizing and studying the genes of the date palm tree.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, UAEU Vice – Chancellor confirmed that within the framework of this Memorandum, the Date Palm Research Center of the UAEU will provide the origin of the necessary plants of the local date kinds to carry out the genetic sequencing to them. It will also provide the proper


USA, Dr. Francis Marti, France, Dr. Harrison Hughes, USA, Dr. Abdullah Wahabbi, FOA, Dr. Hassan Shabana from the International Network of Date Palm.

The General Secretary added that the meeting of the Scientific Committee came under the instructions of HH Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Award of Khalifa International Date Palm Award. The Agenda of the meeting included a comprehensive review of the Award works during the last five years and the search for new means of developing the Award in such a away as to fulfill its strategic goals as defined by its statute.

TO RAISe THe level OF COMPeTITION AMONgTHe NOMINeeS & eNHANCe INTeRNATIONAl PARTICIPATION

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE OF KIDPA MET

The Scientific Committee of KIDPA expressed its intention to develop the standards of receiving Nominee applications for the different categories of the Award by raising the level of competition among the participants at the global level. This was confirmed by Dr. Abdelouahhab Ziad the General Secretary of KIDPA after the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Award on the occasion of the elapse of five sessions after which the Award proved its success at the local, regional and international levels.

The above was confirmed after a meeting was held by the Scientific Committee on Tuesday the 5th of March 2013 at Abu Dhabi Intercontinental Hotel in the presence of all its members, namely, Dr. Farnaz Hoffman, Chairperson of the Scientific Committee,

Prof. Franz J. Hoffmann

Head of the Scientific Committee Department of Developmental and Cell Biology University of California

Irvine, CA, USA

Prof. Francis Marty

Member of Scientific Committee Republic of France

Prof. Harrison G. Hughes

Member of Scientific Committee Colorado State

University, USA

Prof. Abdallah Oihabi

Member of Scientific Committee Food & Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Prof. Hassan R. Shabana

Member of Scientific Committee Expert in

Cultivation & Production of Date Palm


international markets which are covered by Emirates Dates.

The delegation visited as well Al Foa Farm for producing organic dates. It is the biggest organic farm for producing dates in the UAE. The farm includes more than 70.000 date palm trees of the best kinds. Then, both Libyan delegation and journalist delegation visited the Palms And Dates Research Center (Date Palm Tissue Culture Laboratory (DPTCL) to multiply date tissue seedlings) of the UAEU in Al Ain where they had an idea about the most important services and products provided by the Lab to the farmers. They had a look at the technical mechanism to produce Tissue culture of date shoots and seedlings by using state of the art technology in this regard because it meets the increasing growth in cultivating large number of date palm trees in the UAE where the production capacity of the Lab is 150.000 tissue Date seedlings annually of the best kinds.

The tour was ended by a visit to the head office of the General Secretariat of the KIDPA in Al Ain City through which they had an idea about the most important achievements of the last five years at the local, regional and international levels.

CAlleD TO By THe AwARD geNeRAl SeCReTARIATwITHIN ITS PROgRAM OF THe THIRD yeAR ReSPeCTIvely

INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST TOUR TO THE FACILITIES OF DATE CULTIVATION & PRODUCTION IN THE UAE

The General Secretariat of KIDPA organized the day before yesterday, Monday the 4th of March, a field visit to a number of delegations that attended the honor celebration in the award fifth session with the participation of the Arab Journalist Delegation which the Award insisted to host every year. The visit was to some production facilities related to date palm cultivation and date production in the UAE.

The Libyan delegations participated in the tour, and the journalist delegation comprised the representative of the Kuwaiti News Agency, Director of Scientific Horizons website, Jordan, Director of Environmental Horizons website, representative of Al Manar Scientific Channel, Egypt, representative by the Emirates News Agency.

The tour began by visiting the Emirates Factory for Dates where the delegation was received by Mr. Mssalam Obeid Balkhales Al Ameri, Director General of Al Foa Company. The delegation members saw the most important and greatest center for date production at the level of the UAE and the mechanisms of receiving dates from farmers, its work program, its most important products, and the


Statistics : 2009-2013

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2009

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2009 39 18 3 26 5 - - 8

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2009 7 2 4 3 2 - 6 2 - - 1 2 1 1 1 - - - - -

- -

- -

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2010 7 7 9 4 1 1 12 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 - -

2011 7 9 25 5 14 1 15 7 1 - 12 3 3 7 - 5 3 1

2012

2013

22 25 36 4 9 1 19 4 1 - 21 11 - 7 1 4 4 1

1 112 16 25 4 5 - 14 7 - - 22 6 2 6 1 6 4 1

Arabic Countries

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-

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12013 1 - - - 1 2 - - - - - 2 1 - 1 - -

Foreign Countries


Nahayan Mabarak : Khalifa`s Patronage of the Award is a Medal of Honor and a Responsibility we hold to Enhance the UAE Achievements in Serving the Blessed Tree and its workers

KIDPA Opens Nomination for its 6th Session 2014

By virtue of the instructions of Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, Chairman of the Award Board of Trustee, the Secretariat General of the Award announced opening nomination for the award categories in its five session as of the first of June 2013 till the 3oth of October 2013. The award gives the chance to farmers, producers, researchers, academics, specialists and lovers of date palm tree world wide to submit their applications for competition to win one of the Award five categories, namely, the category of Research & Distinguished Studies, the category of the distinguished producers, the category of the best distinguished technology, the category of the best developmental project, and the category of the best distinguished personality in the field of date palm cultivation and date production.

The above was announced in a press conference held by Dr. Abdulwouehab Ziad the Secretary General of KIDPA on Sunday morning the 9th of June 2013 in the Emirates palace in Abu Dhabi in the presence of HE Dr. Hilal Haned Sad Al Kabbi, member of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Administrative & Financial committee of the Award, and HE Dr.Galeb Al Hadrami, member of the Board of Trustees, Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture in UAEU.

In the above press conference, DR. Abdulwouehab Ziad referred to the fact that the curve chart of the Award is growing increasingly at all levels won by the Award, where

the great openness to local community constitutes the best results in increasing the national nominees for different categories. The number reached to 55 nationals during the last five years. This was achieved through the supreme instructions of HH Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, Chairman of the Award Board of Trustee. Therefore the Award General Secretariat decided to go forward in its national campaign to extend the scope of participation to a larger number of participants from all the targeted groups whether they are farmers or manufacturing producers or researchers and academics and to encourage and qualify them to compete on the different categories of the Award.

He confirmed the care of HH Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, Chairman of the Award Board of Trustee to


enhance the regional and international presence of the Award and to build on the successes achieved during the last five years all for the goodness and appreciation of all farmers, producers, researchers world wide in a step that translates the wise instructions of HH. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president (God protect him), the support of HH. First Lit. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abdu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the follow-up of HH. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Depuy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs to enhance the award position among the other international Awards.

On his turn, Dr. Hilal Hamed Sad Al Kabbi, member of the Board of Trustee maintained that the total number of nominees for all categories of the award reaches to 573 applicants representing 38 countries world wide (20 Arabic Countries, 18 Foreign Countries). When we come to discuss the details we find the following :

There are 289 participants for the category of distinguished studies and researches, 42 participants for the category of the best date production, and 75 participants for the category of the influential personality. He referred to the fact that the growing increase in the number of nominees of all categories confirms the reliability and trust which the Award has achieved within a very short time thanks to the instructions of HH Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan Minister of Culture,Youth & Community Development, Chairman of the Award Board of Trustee.

Dr. Hilal announces that all technical and administrative preparations have been completed. Further, the administrative Committee will start to classify the applications that meet the set conditions during next November. Then, the Scientific Committee shall start evaluating the applications during next December r& January and to announce the winner names during next February 2014, and the celebration party during March 2014.

Dr. Galeb Al Hadrami, member of the Board of Trustee, referred as well to the pioneering position occupied by the award at the local regional and international levels during the last five sessions due to the instructions HH Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, Chairman of the Award Board of Trustee. He confirmed that the Award will go forward while moving to its fifth year on the path of success and distinction as per the wise vision of HH. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president (God protect him), whom the award was named after, the support of HH. First Lit. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abdu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the follow-up of HH. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and the interest of HH Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan Minister of Culture ,Youth & Community Development, Chairman of the Award Board of Trustee.


Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa Internation Date Palm Award. He hailed the qualitative participation of the Award in the Emirates International Palm & Date Palm Festival in its seventh version. He considered such participation a promising opportunity to acquaint all researchers, producers, distinguished academics and lovers of the blessed date palm tree world wide with the Award categories so as to give them the chance of winning one of its five categories.

He added that the festival represents a chance to build up frames of cooperation with the organizations and establishments concerned with date palm tree cultivation and date production at the world level since the festival attracts more than 200 companies from all parts of the world, a fact which reflects the position of the UAE in serving the blessed tree and the workers who take care of it.

“KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL” ATTRACTS LOVERS OF THE BLESSED TREE PARTICIPATING IN THE EMIRATES INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2013

Visitors to the the Emirates International Date Palm Festival expressed their appreciation of the efforts exerted by the Award to enhance the pioneering role of the UAE in the filed of palm tree cultivation and dates production at the world level. The pavilion of the General Secretariat of the Award attracted lovers of the blessed tree and date producers who are participating in the festival seventh version hosted by the Capital, Abu Dhabi, during the period between 21- 26 November 2013.

This was confirmed by Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of the Award who expressed his appreciation of the supreme instructions of HH. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president (God protect him), the support of HH. First Lit. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abdu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the follow-up of HH. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and the interest of HH. Sheikh


Dr. Nazir Hussain Muhammad [email protected]

ê

1. IntroductionOne of the oldest fruit trees in the Arabian Peninsula and perhaps over the world is Date palm (Phoenix dacyilifera). The earliest evidence of date palm cultivation has been reported as 4000 BC in Ur (now Iraq) while in the Nile Valley, date palm cultivation goes back to 3000 BC. The Arabian Peninsula has also been traditional home of date palm from centuries adopting harsh environmental conditions there. The date palm grows well in areas with long dry summers and mild winters. It has a unique characteristic to thrive in desert and oasis where temperature could be high but with underground water close to the surface. Under these situations, the date palm is described as having its feet in the running water and its head in the fire of the sky (Erskine et al., 2004). Date Palms can grow in different types of soil, but the best productions were recorded in light deep soils. In general, high level of salinity can be tolerated by date palm. However, at very high values of EC the growth and fruit productivity may be

GLOBAL DILEMMA OF STAGNATING/ DECREASING DATE PALM YIELDS DURING THE LAST FIVE DECADES

affected. This plant has deeply rooted in

the traditions, history and culture since ancient

times of Arabian Peninsula region and has become an

integral part of Arab culture and economy.

Date fruit is marketed all over the world as fresh fruit and a high value confectionery. Dates are rich in sugar ranging from 65% to 80% on dry weight basis mostly of inverted form (glucose and fructose). Fresh varieties has a higher content of inverted sugars, the semi dried varieties contain equal amount of inverted and sucrose, while dried varieties contain higher sucrose. Water content is between 7- 26 % (dried) and 32-79 % (fresh) depending on variety. Dried dates are rich source of carbohydrates (35-37 %) while contain 0.6- 1.2 % fat, 2-8.5 % fibers and 0.5-2.7 % ashes (mainly Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron etc) as well as vitamin


A and constituents like Niacin, Tryptophan, Riboflavin and Thiamine.

Despite such importance of date palm crop, present yields indicate that these are stagnating or even lesser than those of 1961 were whereas yields of other fruit and cereal crops have increased many times. This dilemma is an open challenge to the modern world of science and technology. In this article, efforts have been made to highlight the clear facts that are hidden for the last few decades. It is necessary to bring these facts in the notice of all the stakeholders of dates and other world community having concern of any type with this unique crop so that attention is paid to remediate the crying situation.

2. Global level dates

production scenarioDates production in the world is restricted to selected countries that have arid and hot climate, most probably of desert type. The total world dates production was 7.6834 million T in 2010 (Table 1) while it was just 1.8526 million T in 1961 (the oldest year for which data is available with FAOSTAT). Thus, there has been an increase of 315 % (considering 1961 as the base year) in the world production of this commodity. The top ten countries in dates production in 2010 were: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Pakistan, Algeria, Iraq, Sudan, Oman and Libya (Fig 1), which were producing 89.75 % (6895584 MT) of the world total (7683432 MT). Other countries in the top 20 list in descending order were; China, Tunisia, Morocco, Yemen, Niger, Qatar, Israel, USA, Mauritania and

Chad. These countries are adding 8.55 % (657310 MT) to the world date palm production (Fig 1). Date palm is also grown in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Turkey, and Spain (The only European country) and sharing in the rest 1.7 % of production at the world level.

The most recent (2010) available value for world date palm harvested area is 1.2241 million ha (Table 1) whereas it was 0.2400 million ha in 1961 indicating an increase of 410%. Thus, the tremendous increase in world dates production in real sense is all due to increase in harvested area and not because of increase in per ha yields, as had been in case of almost all the other food crops like wheat, rice, maize, sorghum and potato etc. There could not be an unlimited increase in harvested area of date palm because of competing demand for other commodities as well. Area under date palm attained its peak in 2006 after which a slightly decreasing trend indicated no further scope of new areas to come under this crop. Therefore, the ultimate solution lies in increasing the yields per ha. However, there had been a significant decrease in average yields at the world level as well as the leading countries individually (Table 2). Only a few countries entering newly in this field could show up positive performance in this regard. Date palm yields are not even stagnating rather these are highly diminishing in some traditional countries of date’s production (Table 1 & 2).

2.2 Regional dates production and yield scenarioWorldwide dates production has been concentrated at four main regions: Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait), Al-Maghrab Arabian countries (Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Libya and Tunisia), Other Arab countries (Egypt, Iraq and Sudan) and Non-Arab Asian countries (Iran, Pakistan and China). These four

YearsProduction

(T)Area (ha)

Yield

T/ha % decrease*

1961 1852592 239972 7.720 -

1970 1881730 263665 7.137 7.5

1980 2659406 357255 7.444 3.6

1990 3431207 624326 5.496 28.8

2000 6501350 1048646 6.200 19.7

2001 7656527 1073276 6.295 18.4

2002 6719816 1074930 6.251 19.2

2003 6669625 1085982 6.142 20.4

2004 7041628 1154291 6.100 25.2

2005 6548201 1119274 5.850 24.2

2006 6701968 1271624 5.270 31.2

2007 6908900 1264931 5.462 29.9

2008 7048089 1264611 5.573 27.8

2009 7527589 1158487 6.498 15.8

2010 7683432 1224139 6.277 18.69

Table 1: World Average Production, harvested area and yield of dates during the last five decades

All the data taken from FAOSTAT* Author calculated the decrease in yield considering 1961 as the base year


major areas occupied 94.03 % of the date palm growing areas of the word in 1961. A few other countries of the world like Israel, USA Chad, Niger and Turkey are also included in the list. A keen analysis of last five decades indicted that there was not a significant shift in the areas of date palm growing and still (2010) 96.02 % area lies in these regions (Table 3). However, a significant change of growing areas among these regions occurred in the last five decades. The 2010 data indicated that total growing area in Arabian Peninsula increased to 34.71% of the world, which was 19.82% in 1961. Al-Maghrab Arab countries were sharing 29.38% of

world total harvested area in 1961 that decreased to 23.91% in 2010. The harvested area increased from 12.00% (in 1961) to 16.43% of the word’s in 2010 in the Other Arab Countries (Egypt, Iraq and Sudan). A decrease in harvested area of the world’s total occurred in Non-Arab Asian countries because percent figures were 36.63 and 20.97 for 1961 and 2010 respectively (Table 3).

According to 2010 data (FAOSTAT), Arabian countries contributed 75.35% to the world production of dates (Gulf countries = 30.16%, Al-Maghrab Arab countries = 14.58% and other Arab countries 30.61%).

Non-Arab Asian countries shared 22.06% (Table 3) whereas remaining 4.59% was produced in rest of the world. Dates production increased in Gulf countries from 12.04% (1961) to 30.16% (2010), which was mainly due to increase in area from 19.82% to 34.71 % of the world’s total. There was a decrease of 5.47% of word’s total in the harvested area of date palm in Al-Magrab Arab countries during the period 1961 to 2010, but still share in production remained almost the same (14.00% in 1961 and 14.58% in 2010). The group of three other Arab countries; Egypt, Iraq and Sudan was producing 47.61% of word’s dates in 1961 but its contribution reduced

Table 2: Pattern of average yield (T/ ha) of date palm of the top 21 countries during the last five decades

Countries 1961 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010

World 7.720 7.137 7.444 5.496 6.200 5.850 6.277

Egypt 23.950 16.950 22.300 24.842 34.736 33.428 32.255

Iraq - - - 4.412 8.473 8.080 4.608

Saudi Arabia 7.273 7.742 5.671 7.293 5.158 6.438 6.334

UAE 12.000 12.500 9.194 6.385 4.088 4.054 4.181

Pakistan 8.270 8.503 8.044 6.838 7.793 6.056 5.815

Algeria 2.500 2.477 2.996 2.618 3.652 3.491 4.002

Iran 3.841 3.875 3.049 4.339 4.707 4.173 6.533

Sudan 6.023 6.000 10.004 7.0097 9.495 9.764 11.905

Oman 3.077 3.462 3.482 4.800 7.886 7.886 8.816

Libya - - - 4.933 5.000 5.357 5.367

China 4.000 4.349 3.722 6.000 20.833 19.480 14.837

Tunisia 3.630 3.714 3.222 3.867 3.322 2.827 3.529

Morocco 4.778 4.500 4.237 5.454 2.434 1.369 2.719

Yemen 3.644 2.871 1.226 1.351 1.311 2.177 3.868

Israel 8.571 11.500 12.250 10.335 5.668 5.509 6.895

Mauritania 2.889 3.000 3.000 1.786 4.400 2.750 2.495

Qatar - - 3.801 5.723 8.346 13.742 8.704

Chad - - - 3.289 2.368 2.368 1.952

USA 11.420 10.192 12.543 10.777 8.124 6.880 8.443

Bahrain 9.375 9.375 9.500 5.729 20.008 8.823 8.831

Kuwait - - - 4.000 7.522 11.286 6.398


All the data taken from FAOSTAT

Table 3: Region wise production of dates and harvested area in 1961 and 2010

RegionCountries

Production (T) Area (ha)

1961 2010 1961 2010

Gulf countries

Saudi Arabia 160000 1089350 22000 171975

UAE 6000 825300 500 197400

Oman 40000 276405 13000 31353

Yemen 381000 57849 10456 14955

Qatar - 21491 - 2469

Kuwait - 32561 - 5089

Bahrain 15000 14156 1600 1603

Sub Total - 223100 2317112 47556 424844

% of world - 12.04 30.16 19.82 34.71

Al-Maghrab Arab countries

Algeria 95000 644740 38000 161090

Libya 29100 161000 - 30000

Tunisia 36300 174000 10000 49300

Morocco 86000 119360 18000 43900

Mauritania 13000 21000 4500 8417

Sub Total - 259400 1120100 70500 292707

% of world - 14.00 14.58 29.38 23.91

Other Arab countries

Egypt 479000 1352950 20000 41945

Iraq 350000 567668 - 123000

Sudan 53000 431000 8800 36204

Sub Total - 882000 2351618 28800 201149

% of world - 47.61 30.61 12.00 16.43

Non Arab Asian countries

Iran 300000 1023130 78000 156618

Pakistan 73600 524041 8900 90124

China 4000 147600 1000 9948

Sub Total - 377600 1694771 87900 256690

% of world - 20.38 22.06 36.63 20.97

Grand Total - 1742100 7483601 234756 1175390

Grand % of world 94.03 97.41 97.83 96.02

World’s Total - 1852592 7683432 239972 1224139


to 30.61 % in 2010 indicating a large decrease of production due to lesser yields although area wise share became higher (from 12.00% to 16.4 3%). The Non-Arab Asian countries group indicted a little increase of 1.68% in word’s share of production during this period of 50 years even though harvested area decreased by 15.66 % (from 36.63 in 961 to 20.97% in 2010) of the total world’s area of date palm. This was an indication of increase in yield in this zone. The share in the harvested area as well total production of rest of word’s

countries decreased a little bit in 2010 in comparison to 1961 indicating still more concentration in above mentioned four zones (Table 3).

2.3 Country level production and yield scenario

Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Pakistan, Morocco, Sudan, Yemen and Oman were the top 10 countries in date’s production in 1961. Egypt remained at the top of the list throughout this period except 1980, although per ha yields were diminishing significantly. Top second

in the list was Iran. However, Iraq descended from position second (1961) to 7 in 2010. During this course of time, Yemen started descending in the order and reached at number 14 in 2010 from nine in 1961. Similar was the case of Morocco that descended from seventh to 13th position. UAE was not included in the top 10 list in 1961 but made very good progress and came at position 4 in 2010. Libya also got itself included in the top 10 list during recent years. More detailed pattern of variations in case of production, harvested area and yield are discussed as under so that countries requiring more concerted efforts of development are highlighted (Table 3 & Fig. 1).

2.3.1 Gulf countriesThis group consists of seven countries, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. Excluding Yemen, all the other countries are also part of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). This group was growing date palm on 47556 ha and producing 223100 MT of dates in 1961, which respectively increased to 2317112 ha and 424844 MT in 2010. Thus, there was a significant increase in both the parameters (Table 3). However, alarmingly there has been very little improvement in yields per ha.

2.3.1.1 Saudi ArabiaThis country has emerged as the biggest dates producing country in the Gulf group because its harvested area increased to 171975 ha in 2010, which were just 22000 ha in 1961. Accordingly, the production increased from 160000 (1961) to 1089350 MT during the same period (Table 3). However, mean yield/ ha decreased from 7.27 (1961) to 6.33 (2010), there have been some improvement in 1970 and 1990 (Table 2 & Fig 2). This indicates the urgent need of efforts to enhance the yields by addressing problems identified in latter section.

Fig. 1: Production of dates from 1990 to 2010

Fig. 2: Yields (T/ha) of Gulf Countries in the last five decades

Production of dates during the last two decades in top 21 countries

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2.3.1.2 UAEThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al khaymah, Fujairah, Umm al Quain and Ajman. Dates are grown in the different parts of the UAE. These are cultivated along the western coast of the Arabian Gulf in areas such as Jumaira in Dubai and Al-Hayra in Sharjah. Likewise, along the Eastern coasts, date palm cultivation stretches from Kalba in the south to Diba in the north. The dates are soft type and mainly consumed at “Rutub” Stage or dried at “Tamr” Stage. Date palm oases are spreading from the plains and mountains that stretch from Ras-al Khaimah (RAK) in the north to Al-Ain city in the south. Perhaps this is the sole country, which made progress at a very rapid rate in increase of area under date palm and the resultant very high production (Table 3 and Fig 2). Date palm was just growing on 500 ha in 1961 that increased to 186000 ha in 2010 with respective production of 6000 MT (1961) and 825300 MT (2010). Per ha yields reached to maximum (12.5 T/ha) in 1970 but thereafter consistently decreased (1961= 12.0 T/ ha and 2010 4.18 T/ ha) during 50 years (Table 2 & Fig 2). Therefore, this problem warrants immediate addressing.

2.3.1.3 OmanOman is the third biggest date palm growing country in the Gulf group. Some 95% of farm holdings in the country have palm tree plantations. Palm trees thus represent 51% of the total cropped area constituting by far the major and most important agricultural activity. The major area of date palm cultivation is Al-Batinah. The growing area increased from 13000 ha (1961) to 31353 (2010) with respective productions of 40000 and 276405 MT (Table 3 and Fig 2). The present yields (2010 = 8.816 T/ ha) are better than the starting year (1961 = 3.08 T/ ha), as indicated with data presented in Table 2 and Fig 2. However, the present yields are far

behind the potential being recorded in Egypt (Table 2). Hence, this aspect deserves taking a serious note and subsequent remediation.

2.3.1.4 YemenYemen has been popular for the cultivation of palm trees and the production of dates since medieval times. Date palms are widely cultivated in Hadhramout Coast and Wadi, Suqutra Island, Tehama Plains and Al-Mahara. This country was included in the top 10 list of dates producing countries in 1961 but since then its production (381000 MT) started significantly declining and reached 57849 MT in 2010 although area under date palm increased from 10456 to 14955 ha during this period. Yemen is among a few countries in which the production met a severe decline. The cause was constantly diminishing per ha yields, which were 3.64 T/ ha in 1961, which even descended to 1.31 T/ ha in the year 2000 but luckily started improving a little afterwards and again reached at 3.868 T/ ha in 2010 (Table 2 and Fig 2). The improvement obtained in recent years has not only to be kept up but also to be boosted up to compete at the world level.

2.3.1.5 QatarQatar is relatively new Gulf country where documented date production started in 1980 as compared with other countries of the region that were producing this commodity even before 1961. Since then this country made a good progress in growing and production of dates. Initially, date palm was grown in 805 ha (in 1980) with a production of 3060 MT (Table 2 and Fig 2). The harvested area touched the value of 2469 ha which gave production of 21491 MT in the year 2010. The latest average yield for 2010 was 8.704 T/ ha, being the second highest in the region and higher than the word’s average of 6.277 T/ ha (Tables 2 & 3 Fig 2). It is required that this status should not

only be maintained but also boosted up.

2.3.1.6 KuwaitLike Qatar, Kuwait is also relatively new dates producing country where documented internationally available data (FAOSTAT) was for the year 1990. At that time, date palm was growing on only 150 ha which reached 5089 ha in 2010. The respective productions were 1400 MT and 32561 MT (Table 3 and Fig 1 & 2). The average yield fairly increased during this period and reached the maximum magnitude of 11.286 T/ ha in 2005. However, yields started decreasing afterwards and reached 6.398 T/ha in 2010, which is not a good sign and needs correcting measures.

2.3.1.7 BahrainDates production is deteriorating in Bahrain slowly and gradually which should be seriously considered. It has also been a traditional country producing 15000 MT from 1600 ha in 1961 but the total production decreased to 14156 MT from 1603 ha in 2010. Although there was, an increase in harvested area during this period but still production decreased by 844 MT that was only due to per ha yield deterioration (Table 2 & 3 and Fig 1 & 2). The documented yield in 1961 was 9.38 (second highest value in the region) in 1961 that increased to as high as 20.01 T/ha in 2000 but it started declining thereafter and recoded yield was 8.831 T/ ha in 2010. The situation needs mitigation through appropriate decisions and a development project.

2.3.2 AL-Maghrab Arab countries2.3.2.1 AlgeriaAlgeria is the biggest country among Al-Maghrab Arab countries in respect of growing date palm and was at sixth position in the list of top ten countries of the world during the year 2010 (Table 3 and Fig 1). Oases cover 57 % in the North-East of the Algerian


Sahara (Zibans, Oued Righ, El Oued and Ouargla) and 43 % in the West (M’zab, Touat, Gourara and Saoura). Date palms are mainly grown in these oases. Modern plantations are located in the Oued Righ valley and the region of Ziban. Dates production in Algeria was 95000 MT in 1961 that enhanced to 644740 MT in 2010 whereas respective values of the harvested area for the same years were 38000 and 161090 ha (Table 3). This indicated a good progress. An increase of 1.52 T/ha in per ha yields was also observed during 50 years because yields were 2.50 and 4.02 T/ ha in 1961 and 2010 respectively (Table 2 & Fig 1 & 3). However, the yields were far below the world’s average and many leading countries in the field of date’s production. Thus, the situation requires remediation and well-planned development projects be implemented to keep up the pace with the world.

2.3.2.2 LibyaLibya is comparatively emerging country among Al-Maghrab Arab countries where documented date production started in 1990. Since then a good progress in growing and production of dates has been

observed. Date palms are grown in the three main agro-climatic regions of Libya:

The coastal region characterized by high humidity, rain and low heat unit accumulation for fruit ripening.

The central region comprising the entire oasis north of 28° north; it is the most suitable region climatically for excellent date fruit production.

The southern region contains all the oases in the south. Most of the dates produced here are hard, dry fruits.

At the start in 1990, date palm was grown in fairly large area of 17500 ha with production of 74000 MT. The harvested area in Libya reached 30000 ha in 2010, which gave production of 161000 MT (Table 3 and Fig 1 & 3). The average yield for 1990 was 4.93 T/ ha and for 2010 was 5.367 T/ ha (Table 2 & Fig 3) indicating an increasing trend but still it was lesser than the potential yields obtained at world level. Therefore, improvement and development efforts are direly needed.

2.3.2.3 TunisiaIn Tunisia, dates are principally grown in oases of the Governorates

of Gafsa, Gabes, Tozeur and Kebili. This country was among the top 10 countries up to 1990 but there after descended a little bit (at 11th position in 2010). Nevertheless, still maintained its progress in respect of increase in production (from 36300 MT in 1961 to 174000 MT in 2010) as well as harvested area (1961 = 10000 ha and 2010 = 49300 ha, Table 3 and Fig 7 & 8). There was a little decrease in yields per ha (1961 = 3.63 and 2010 = 3.529 t/ ha) during this period. However, recorded yields were far below the worlds’ average as well as the competing countries (Table 2 and Fig 3). A critical analysis of the low yields and development strategies based upon identified problem is the need of the time in this country as far as dates production is concerned.

2.3.2.4 MoroccoDate palms have been cultivated in Morocco for many centuries in the Tafilalet and Ouarzazate regions. In the 18th century, Morocco was famous for exporting good qualities of dates to Europe. London used to be the principal importer of Mejhoul and Boufeggous dates, which acquired world fame. Nevertheless, today the bayoud disease, which destroyed more than 65% of the palms in the country, indicted that export is no longer possible. Morocco is recording the second lowest yields of date palm after Mauritania in the world (Table 2). Therefore, it should be prioritized country for all the development activities to remediate the situation. It was among top ten countries until 1990 but thereafter failed to maintain its position and descended down from 8th to 13th position. Date palm was growing on 18000 ha and giving production of 86000 MT in 1961. However, its production increased only a little bit with a value of 119360 MT despite harvested area increased to 43900 (Table 3 and Fig 1 & 3) because yields decreased from 4.78 T/ ha (1961) to only 2.714 T/ ha in 2010 (Table 2 and Fig 3). Therefore, Morocco can be regarded as the core

Fig. 3: Yields of date palm in Al-Maghrab Countries during last five decades

Yield pattern of dates in Al-Maghrab Arab countries

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country for attracting development and improvement efforts at national, regional and global level.

2.3.2.5 MauritaniaThis country also had the lowest yield of date palm in the world (2010 = 2.495 T/ ha) which is traditionally coming from the start (1961 = 2.89 T/ ha, Table 2 and Fig 3). Therefore, special investigations should be made to know the hidden causes because yields had never been better during the last 50 years. No significant increase in production of dates was observed because values were 13000 MT in 1961 and 21000 MT in 2010 even after 50 years (Table 3 and Fig 1 & 3) although harvested area increased from 4500 to 8417 ha during this period

2.3.3 Other Arab CountriesThis group mainly comprised of Egypt, Iraq and Sudan and sharing 30.61% in world’s production of dates in 2010 whereas the contribution in 1961 was 47.6 %, though, there was an increase in harvested area (1961 = 12 % and 2010 = 18 %) during this period. Thus, the performance has

rather degraded (Table 3 and Fig 1 & 4). This group was leading in recorded yields over the other three groups.

2.3.3.1 EgyptEgypt is the country leading the world in date’s production throughout 50 years (for which data at world level is available). The Nile valley is the biggest oasis in the world. The date palm plantations in the Nile delta constitute about 1/3 of the productive date palms of the country. Half of Egypt’s total number of palms is found between Cairo and Aswan, in the strip of cultivated land along the Nile River and the Fayoum depression. The remaining 25 % are found in the western part of Egypt, from the Nile to the Libyan border. It is a vast desert plateau, which is cut from the South East to the North West by a succession of depressions. Date palms are also present but in smaller numbers in South and North Sinai, along the Red Sea, and in Matrouh Governorate. Production of this country was 1352950 (17.61 % of the world’s total) in 2010 and 479000 (26 % of the world) in 1961 (Table 3). Thus, due to increased production in other

countries, the contribution of Egypt to the world decreased. Yield at present and in the past remained the highest in the world but some deterioration was observed during the period of 50 years (Table 2 & Fig 4). Although, as high as values of 34.736 and 33.428 T/ ha were recorded in years 2000 and 2005 respectively but 2010 average is 32.255 T/ha (Table 2). This clearly revealed that the conditions have not been satisfactory even with the world’s leader of date’s production in recent years. A lot of increase in harvested area was observed for the country with the values of 20000 ha in 1961 and 41945 ha in 2010 (Table 3).

2.3.3.2 IraqThis country was at the second position in top 10 countries producing dates in 1961 and gained first position in 1980 but thereafter a decrease in performance started. The country was at position 4 in 1990 and 2000 but felled to seventh rank in 2005 until 2010. The date’s production was 350000 MT in 1961, which was 567668 MT in 2010 (Table 3, Fig. 2). Data for harvested area and average yield up to 1980 were not available. The yield was 3.72 T/ha in 1985 which started increasing and reached to 8.73 T/ ha in 2000 but degraded afterwards and felled down to 4.608 T/ ha in 2010 (Table 2 Fig 4). The overall indications were loss of performance and antagonistic measures against this degradation are urgently required.

2.3.3.3 SudanSudan is the country that made good progress in date’s production, as indicted through recorded data (Table 3 & Fig 1 & 4, 1961 = 53000 MT and 2010 = 431000 MT). The harvested area also increased from 8800 ha (1961) to 36204 (2010) while the average yield improved also fairly from 6.02 T/ ha (1961) to 11.905 T/ ha (2010), although it was still far below the full potential (34.736 T/ ha obtained by Egypt in year 2000). Therefore, development

Fig 4: Yields of date palm in Other Arab Countries in last 5 decades

Yield pattern of dates in other Arab contries

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and improvement efforts should not only be continued but also still strengthened further.

2.3.4 Non-Arab Asian CountriesThe group of thee countries; Iran, Pakistan and China also made very good progress in dates production during the period of 1961 to 2010 (Table 2 & 3 and Fig 1 & 5). The group was sharing 20.4 % of dates

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2.3.4.1 IranIran was at position second in production of dates during 2000 to 2008 while the country has been at rank third or fourth in the past. Date palm has a long history in Iran and it is said that the origin of this crop belongs to regions near Persian Gulf. Date palm is a crop that survives in harsh climatic conditions and can tolerate high levels of soil and water salinity. It is called the food crop of dry and poor regions. In at least three big provinces of Iran (Sistan and Balouchestan, Kouzestan, and Boushehr) more than 50% of perennial plantations are planted of dates palms. The production reached 1023130 MT (one million MT) in 2010 (Table 3 & Fig 1) while harvested area increased from 78000 ha to 156618 ha (Table 3 and Fig 1) during this period. The improvement in yield was from 3.84 (1961) to 6.533 T/ ha (2010). This is an admirable progress (Table 2 & Fig 5) but still there is a lot to be done to reach the maximum attainable potential.

2.3.4.2 PakistanThe area under date palm of Pakistan increased from 8900 (1961) to 90124 ha in 2010 (Table 3) whereas production increased from 73600 to 524041 MT (table 3 & Fig 1) during this period, indicating a significant progress and moving the country from position 7 to 5. However, there was a decrease in per ha yield (from 8.27 to 5.815 T/ ha) urging the scope of research and development (Table 2 & Fig 5), especially improvement in average yield of the crop.

2.3.4.3 ChinaChina is the country that made very good progress in the field of date palm growing. There have been just 1000 ha under this crop in 1961, which increased by 9 times and reached 9948 ha in 2010 (Table 3) while production increased from just 400 MT to 147600 MT (Fig 1 & Table 3) during the same period. This was mainly due to increase in yield from

Fig 5: Yields of date palm in Non-Arab Asian countries during last 5 decades

Fig 6: Date palm yields in other countries of the world during 5 decades

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4.00 (1961) to 8.37 T/ ha (2010, Fig 5 and Table 2). China was not included in top 20 countries of date’s production in 1961 but this country got itself placed at position 12th in 2010. This appreciable performance not only needed to be sustained but also improved further unless the country attains the full potential of this commodity.

2.3.5 Other countries of the worldChad, Israel and USA, are the countries of significance outside the four regions of world’s dates

production. The production of these countries was 39684, 30618 and 26308, MT (Table 3) respectively in 2010, which was just 1.26 % of the world while 97.41% was produced in the countries discussed under above four groups. Hence, only 1.33% of dates are shared by the remaining countries of the world, which may be producing this commodity just for home consumption. Area under date palm in Chad, Israel and USA was 9938, 5000 and 3116, ha respectively in 2010 (Fig 17). The respective yields per ha in these countries were 1.952, 6.895 and 8.443 T/ ha in 2010

(Fig 6) indicating a lot of scope of improvement even in these countries. The average yields in USA were 14.775 T/ ha in 1985 while these had been 12.250 T/ ha in Israel in 1980. The values indicate yield degradation and emphasize the needs of improvement and development activities.

3. Dilemma of stagnating/ decreasing date palm yieldsThe tremendous increase in world dates production has been observed in previous sections but that all was due to increase in harvested area and not because of increase in per ha

Countries 1990 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

World 624326 1048646 1119276 1271624 1264931 1264611 1170974 1224139

Egypt 21816 28982 35000 85187 86787 87685 36924 41945

Iraq 123510 110000 50000 101500 101500 101500 110000 123000

Saudi Arabia 72379 142450 150744 152400 155734 155734 161975 171975

UAE 22156 185330 185000 219300 186000 186000 186000 197400

Pakistan 42014 78590 81990 84695 90135 93336 90584 90124

Algeria 78640 100120 147906 154372 159871 150000 180867 161090

Iran 118988 184725 238862 240000 240000 240000 156618 156618

Sudan 15500 35000 33613 34583 34583 35295 35910 36204

Oman 35000 35508 31352 31352 32746 32746 31353 31353

Libya 15000 24000 28000 28000 30000 30000 28644 30000

China 2500 6000 7700 8000 8500 9000 10000 9948

Tunisia 21000 31610 39970 40740 39830 39300 45900 49300

Morocco 22000 30400 34700 35500 36100 37300 39000 43900

Yemen 15313 22755 13773 13774 14180 14465 14764 14955

Israel 1195 2070 2900 3200 3200 5500 4000 5000

Mauritania 5600 5000 8000 8000 8200 8200 8362 8417

Qatar 998 1931 1444 1444 1444 1444 1450 2469

Chad 7600 7600 7600 7600 7700 7700 8092 9938

USA 2020 1943 2347 2185 2185 2064 2711 3116

Bahrain 997 823 1700 2150 2102 2102 1510 1603

Kuwait 350 1350 1400 1450 1450 1450 1451 5089

All data taken from FAOSTAT

Table 4: Pattern of harvested area (ha) of date palm of the top 21 countries


yields, as had been in case of almost all the food crops like wheat, rice, maize, sorghum potato etc. The harvested area cannot be increased unlimitedly because there is competing demand for other commodities as well. Area under date palm attained its peak in 2006 after which it started decreasing slightly indicating no further scope of new areas to be brought under this crop (Table 4). Therefore, the ultimate solution is in increasing the yields per ha. However, when yield per ha was considered, the situation emerged as highly astonishing and disappointing because there had been a significant decrease in average yields at the world level as well as the leading countries individually (Table 2 & Fig. 1). Only a few countries entering newly in this field could show up positive performance in this regard. Date palm yields are not even stagnating rather these are highly diminishing in some traditional countries of date’s production. The world’s average date palm yields was 7.72 MT/ ha in 1961 (FAOSTAT). This level could neither maintained nor attained again in last fifty years. The recorded world level yields were 7.137, 7.444, 5.496, 6.20, 5.85 and 6.277 T/ha respectively in 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010 indicating 7.55, 3.57, 28.81, 19.68, 24.22 and 18.69 % lesser yield than that of 1961 (Table 1). Thus, there have been no increase in yield/ ha, in any of the decades/ years during last 50 years. The last 10 years (beginning of 21st century that is claimed to bring innovative technologies) have been the most discouraging. Thus, recoded increase in date’s production was clearly based on increase in harvested area and not due to yield improvement. Is it not an open challenge to world scientific and allied communities? The situation direly demands revolutionary and concerted efforts for improvement of date palm yields, which have consistently been deteriorating rather than any hike in the last five decades. The world community interested in date palm betterment should be very

well aware of the previous negative performance made in the field of dates improvement during the last five decades. The facts and data (Table 1) are not appreciable in any way. A big question mark can be put after observing decreased yields of date palm at the world level. Country wise yields during this entire period are not encouraging as well because a negative trend is also visible here except a few countries like Egypt, China, Sudan, Oman and Libya. Moreover, Yields are far below than the obtained potential (32.255 T/ha, 2010, Table 2) in Egypt.

This situation is alarming for the community of policy makes, planners, managers, scientist/ researchers, farmers and all the other stake holders involved in dates production, consumption, trade and marketing. It is a great challenge for the highly developed world laden with modern technology of the twenty first century to enhance the date palm yields that have been decreasing consistently in the last 50 years.

4. Date palm problemsThe above presented data and discussion indicate that although there was a tremendous increase in world dates production but it was all due to increase in harvested area and not because of increase in per ha yields, as had been in case of almost all the food crops like wheat, rice, maize, sorghum potato and etc. However, to get into this very important global problem, the real causes of low yields are to be analyzed and identified first. These are enlisted as under and will be discussed in detail in subsequent articles in a series.

1- Low yielding cultivars/ varieties

2- Deficiency of good quality irrigation water and appropriate irrigation system

3- Soil and water salinity

4- Insect and disease attack

5- Poor agronomic techniques operative in the field

6- Harvesting losses and post harvest cares

7- Miscellaneous factors causing abandoning/ degradation of date palm orchards

8- Economical considerations

9- Poor awareness of the date palm growers, need of training and hampered technology transfer to the end users

10- Lack of advanced packing and processing techniques, industry, trade and marketing

11- Lack of coordination/ collaboration

These problems will be highlighted in detail in subsequent articles.

ReferencesAl-Khateeb SA, Abdulhadi IA, Al-Barrak KM and Al- Khateeb AA (1993). Ion and water relations of date palm trees grown in Al-Hassa Coast of Arabian Gulf of Saudi Arabia. Third Symposium on Date Palm, Jan, 17-20,1993 Vol.1: 293-297. www.pubhort.org/datepalm/datepalm2/datepalm2_15.pdf.

Bino M (2008). How can MENA countries respond to long term climate change impacts on water resources. Abstracts of the First International Conference: Water Resources and Climate Change in the MENA Region. 2-4 November, 2008, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. 10 p.

FAOSTAT (2010). http://faostat.fao.org/default.aspx

Hussain N, Al-Wahaibi NS, Habsi SSA, Al-Bakri A (2006). Hydro-Economical localization of Oman agriculture. Proc. Int. Conf: Economic Incentives and Demand Management. March 18-22, 2006, Muscat, Oman. 188-197 p.

IPCC 4th report (2007). Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Edited by Martin Parry, Osvaldo Canziani, Jean Palutikof, Paul van der Linden and Clair Hanson. Cambridge University Press, 978-0-521-88010-7.


1Arafat, K.H., 2A. M. Mohamad and 2S. Elsharabasy ê

proved the best bioagent in vitro suppressing the growth of L. theobromae showing reduction of linear growth to 83.33% at 500 ppm. Plant guard was found the second most effective reduction to 52.96%. Marjoram showed the least efficacy against L. theobromae in all concentrations. Experiments in greenhouse to control the root rot disease proved the Jojoba oil gave the best results to decreased disease severity, followed by Plant guard and the least was Marjoram against L. theobromae at all cultivars tested.

Keywords: date palm, root rot diseases, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, biological control agents.

Corresponding Author: Arafat, K.H., Plant Pathology Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt. E-mail: [email protected]

IntroductionThe decline disease of date palm has become one of the most severe problems in date palm offshoots of the Egypt. Our previous studies have established that Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat) Griffon & Moube (Syn. Botryodiplodia theobromae) is a causative fungus of this disease (Arafat, 2011). Its distribution covered most of the date palm growing regions. Symptoms are severe on offshoots and characterized by death while either they are still attached or detached. The fungus may infect the outside leaves and finally kill younger leaves and terminal bud. Yellowish-brown streaks extend along the leaf base (El-Deeb et al.,

AbstrctThe decline disease in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) has become one of the most severe problems in date palm offshoots of the Egypt. Our previous studies have established that Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Syn: Botryodiplodia theobromae) is one of the fungi causing root rot diseases. This study was carried out in three governorates Bani-suef, Behara and Kaluobia. A survey of governorates were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to collect the root-rotted samples from rhizosphere of declined date palm offshoot and trees. Behara was the most affected governorate with 25.5% disease severity, while in Kaluobia it was 14.5% and in Bani-suef it was 13%. Bartamoda cultivar was the least susceptible to infection by the pathogenic fungus followed by Sakoty, Siwey, Sammany and Zaghloul. L. theobromae was most abundantly isolated fungal pathogen. Colony growth of L. theobromae was maximum at 35ºC and optimum temperature for disease incidence and severity was 30ºC. Relative humidity percentage of 70% is best for the growth of L. theobromae, while the optimum Rh% for disease incidence and severity it was 60%. Water salinity (ECw) at the concentration 15.63 ds/m2 was reduction linear growth of L. theobromae to 17.03%, while at water salinity concentration increased the severity of all cultivars tested. Root exudates from Bartamoda cv. the most effective on growth rate of L. theobromae at concentration 10%, it was reduction linear growth to 41.30%. Jojoba oil

INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, SALINITY AND ROOT EXUDATES ON INCIDENCE AND DISEASE SEVERITY OF LASIODIPLODIA THEOBROMAE THAT CAUSED ROOT ROT OF

DATE PALM OFFSHOOTS AND BIOCONTROLLING


2007). Environmental conditions the main factors including temperature and relative humidity are the most effective on pathogenic fungus as rate of growth, root rot disease incidence and severity of date palm offshoots (Arafat, 2011). The fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae grow at optimum of temperatures growth at 28ºC and no growth was noted at 40ºC (Saha et al., 2008), while optimum of relative humidity was noted at 70% (Arafat, 2011). The water salinity reduced growth of date palm seedlings also, tended to increase the infection rate of increase the infection rate of inoculated seedlings with Chalara radicicola and C. paradoxa compared with the control (El-Morsi, 2004). Several researchers have shown that plant extracts may control anamorphic fungal plant pathogens. Plants exude a variety of substance through the surface of their roots. Some of the compouds released by certain kinds of plants seem to have inhibitory activity against certain pathogens (Agrois, 2005). Noberga et al. (2005) reported that a variety of chemical compounds and protein’s that can be exudate by plant roots and that might function to repress the growth of root pathogenic fungi. Biological control of plant pathogens by microorganisms has been considered as a natural and environmentally acceptable alternative to the existing chemical treatment methods (Baker and Paulitz, 1996). Trichoderma sp. is one of the most important biocontrol agent used for management of different diseases. They are free living fungi that are common in soil and root ecosystems and promote plant growth and effective in control of soil/seed-borne fungal diseases in several crop plants (Buensanteai et al., 2010). The aim of this study, tested factors conditions viz. temperature, relative humidity, salinity and root exudates of different cultivars on linear growth of the fungus, and its impacts on root rot disease of date palm. Also, screening of effective biological control agents

against root rot disease caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae to improve production of date palm offshoots.

Materials and MethodsSurvey, isolation, identification and causal organisms: The fungal culture, Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) was isolated from naturally infected roots and regions of young date palm offshoots in the nursery and orchards of Behara, Bani-suef and Kaluobia governorates. Disease incidence, severity index and the scale were carried out according to Cook et al. 2006). Following verification of Koch’s postulates. The fungi were identified based on to fungi morphological characteristics as described by Barnett and Hunter (1999). The symptoms of the infected date palm were recorded and photo in the field and nursery. As well as, pycnidia and spores of the fungal isolate were photo and recorded.

Pathogenicity test: Pathogenicity test of the most frequency isolated fungal was carried out in the greenhouse of Fruit and Woody Tree Diseases Research Department, Agric. Res. Center, Giza-Egypt. The Central Laboratory provided seeds of Phoenix dactylifera for Date Palm Researches and Development, ARC, Giza, Egypt. They were surface-disinfested for 10 min in a sodium hypochlorite solution NaOCl (1.5% available chlorine), soaked in tap water for 24 h, and then sown in black plastic bags (15 cm) filled with a sterilized mixture of equal portions (v/v) of soil (sandy clay). One seedling was grown in each bag. Fifteen bags of each five cultivars Bartamoda, Sakoty, Siwey, Sammany and Zaghloul. Seedlings infested protocol was carried out obtained by seedlings injection as described by (Abdalla et al. 2000) by injecting 1 ml of propagules, and the concentration was adjusted to 1X106 propagules/ml. Fifteen plants of each cultivar were inoculated with fungus isolated, and corresponding controls were injected with Sterile Distilled Water

(SDW). The bags were arranged in a complete randomized design. The pathogenicity test was conducted twice. Pathogenicity was evaluated at 45 days after inoculation and disease reaction was rated as disease incidence and severity.

Effect of abiotic and biotic stress on isolated fungusIn vitro: Temperature degrees were applied at 25, 30, 35 and 40°C. to study the effect of temperature on linear growth of the pathogenic fungus L. theobromae was inoculated in PDA medium using three Petri dishes for each temperature. Plates were inoculated by placing one disk (5mm) per plate in the center of the Petri dishes, taken from active cultures. Plats were incubated at different temperatures. Results were recorded at the completion of fungus growth in any of the previous temperature degrees. The linear growth was determined by measuring two diameters of the colony at right angles to each other to the nearest millimeter (mm).

Four different levels of relative humidity (Rh%), potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used to create different head spaces with 60, 70, 80 and 90% relative humidity at 25°C. to determine the relative humidity requirements for growth of pathogenic fungi win relative humidity chamber. Each chamber consisted of two bottom portions of glass Petri dishes, one inverted on top of the other. Different solutions of potassium hydroxide, according to (Solomon, 1951).

In greenhouse: Different temperature degrees were study on pathogenic fungus and different cultivars of date palm to determine the optimum temperature degree to incidence and severity root rot disease of date palm seedlings in greenhouse. Fifteen seedlings of each cultivars viz. Bartamoda, Sakoty, Siwey, Sammany and Zaghloul (6 months old) date palm at the 2-3 leaves development


stage. Seedlings were inoculated as described by (Abdalla et al. 2000). The plants were maintained in a different temperature controlled in greenhouse (25, 30, 35 and 40°C) at 70 Rh%. Data were recorded after forty-five days as disease incidence and severity%. The same method was applied to determine the optimum Rh% to incidence and severity root rot of date palm seedlings in greenhouse. The plants were maintained in a different Rh% controlled in greenhouse (60, 70, 80 and 90% Rh) at 25°C. Data were record after forty-five days as disease incidence and severity%.

Water salinityIn vitro: A 5 mm-diameter disk was cut from active acidified potato dextrose agar (APDA) of fungus study L. theobromae and placed in 9 cm-diameter Petri dish containing 20 ml of PDA medium to which NaCl was added at different concentrations to give electrical conductivity (ECw) values of: 1.4, 6.25, 9.375, 12.5 and 15.625 ds/m2. (ECw 1.4 ds/m2 tap water as control treatment). Plated were incubated at 25°C±2 and the radial growth of the fungus on the various ECw concentrations of media were measured after 10-15 days, as reduction of mycelia growth (%).

In greenhouse: Date palm seedlings derived from seeds of Bartamoda, Sakoty, Siwey, Sammany and Zaghloul cvs. were used in this experiment, grown in soil type (sandy clay). Irrigation treatments and inoculated by fungus were applied according to (Arafat 2011). All pots were maintained in the greenhouse with an optimum temperature of 25°C. Forty-five days after inoculation, the number of infected plants and severity in each treatment were determined.

Root exudatesThe effect of root exudates from different cultivars of date palm seedlings on growth of L. theobromae

was studied according to (Wu et al. 2000a) with modified. Jars (300 ml each one) containing one filter paper and 10 ml distilled water were autoclaved for 15 minutes. Surface sterilized seeds were planted in jars for 15 days. Liquids in jars of each cultivars were ascetically added into PDA medium at the rates of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 % v/v before plating. Plates were inoculated with 0.5 cm diameter discs of L. thebobromae grown on PDA for 12 days. Control of the experiment was non-amended exudate PDA plates. Data were measured as reduction of mycelial growth (%).

Plant extractIn vitro: Plant extract: material was used in this experiment viz. Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), as dried leaves. Plant material was obtained from Gelcy Agro Organic Co. Giza, Egypt. Derided leaves (2-8mm) were further homogenized into a paste of leaf with a blender and extracted as cold water aqueous according to (Wokocha and Okereke, 2005) The crude extract was considered as 100 % concentration and serial dilutions (50, and 75%) were made by using SDW. Data was measured as reduction of mycelial growth%.

Natural oil Effect of natural oil on mycelial growth inhibition in vitro Pure-grade of natural oil, i.e. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis L.) was obtained from Haraz Factory for Natural Oils, Cairo- Egypt, and stored in dark glass bottles at 4°C. Antifungal activity on pathogenic fungus colony development viz. L. theobromae was obtained by dilution method (0, 50, 100 and 500 ppm) of natural oil Jojoba in the appropriate culture media-PDA. The oil was dissolved in 5% Tween 20 and added to the 20 ml of PDA before solidified into Petri dish.

Bioagents commercial product Bioassay of bioagents commercial formulation on growth inhibition

of pathogenic fungi In vitro three concentrations of the bioagent commercial Plant guard (Trichoderma herzianum) 30X106 spores/ml, i. e., 1.25, 2.5 and 3.5 ml/L. was used. Bioassay of bioagent activity on pathogenic fungus growth development viz. L. theobromae was obtained by dilution method different concentrations of bioagents in the appropriate culture media-PDA. The bioagent was dissolved in sterile distilled water (SDW) and added to the 20 ml of PDA before solidified into Petri dish. Biological control agent’s treatments against date palm root rot diseases control in greenhouse: Biological control agents (abiotic or biotic) were used in these experiments and the most effective agents were applied in greenhouse according to the results in vitro. The inoculation of pathogenic fungus was performed as previously in the pathogenicity test. All treatments were treated as a soil drench to control root rot diseases of date palm seedlings cvs. Bartamoda, Sakoty, Siwey, Sammany and Zaghloul. The control agents were applied three days after pathogenic fungal inoculation. Control treatments pathogenic fungus inoculation without any treatments (C-) and treatment with fungicide Carbendazime (Kema-Z/WP50%) as control positive (C+) at 3 g/L. Data were recorded after forty five days from inoculation of plants. The recorded data were calculated as disease severity while was previously explained at the end of the pathogenicity test.

Statistical analysisExperiments results were analyzed using the software CoStat version 6.400- CoHort Software. The mean of all treatments were compared by the least significant difference (L.S.D.) at 5% level of probability according to (Gary, 2010).

ResultsSurvey, isolation and identification of agent


Data in Table (1) indicated that, Behara governorate was the highest in incidence and severity root rot disease of date palm offshoot was ranged (40% DI and 25.5% DS), followed by Kaluobia was ranged (30% DI and 14.5% DS) and Bani-Suef governorate was ranged (20% DI and 13% DS). In additions, the most frequency fungal isolated from root diseased was L. theobromae ranged in Behara (70%), in Kaluobia (60%) and In Bani-suef (50%).

Symptoms and causal organisms: Symptoms in the field (Fig. 1) were recorded on root rot and leaf base rot (A, B, C and D), pycnidia (E) and conidia spores were photo under microscopes (F) with 20x X 40x.

Pathogenicity testInfection was done with the most frequency fungi L. theobromae. Different cultivars of date palm seedlings were vary in infection with L. theobromae. Fig. (2) indicated that, Zaghloul cv. was the most susceptible to infection with pathogenic fungus, followed by Sammany cv. While, Siwey cv. was the moderate susceptible to infection. On the other hand, Bartamoda and Sakoty cvs. were the least susceptible to infection, respectively.

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on linear growth of fungus and disease incidence and severity. Data in Table (2) showed that the optimum temperature for growth of the fungus L. theobromae was 35ºC ranged (90 mm), followed by degree 30ºC ranged (71.70 mm). The moderate degree effect on linear growth was 25ºC ranged (63.30 mm), while degree 40ºC was the extreme effect on linear growth ranged (53.40mm). While, the optimum relative humidity percentage for growth of the fungus (Table 3) was 70% ranged (90mm), followed by 60% and 80% ranged (83.33 and 79.70 mm respectively). While Rh 90% was ranged (63.93 mm). On the other hand, the optimum degree for

disease severity (Table 4) was 30ºC for all cultivars tested, followed by 25ºC. While, the severity was decreased at 35ºC and 40ºC, respectively. On the contrary, Zaghloul cv. was the most effective by the temperature degree to disease severity ranged (8.06%), followed by Sammany cv. ranged (7.36%). While, Siwey cv. was the moderate effective by temperature ranged (5.98%). While, Bartamoda and Sakoty cvs. were the less effective by the temperature to disease severity ranged (1.95% and 3.33% respectively). Data in Table (5) indicated that the optimum relative humidity for disease severity was 60% for all cultivars, followed by 70%. While, the severity was decreased at Rh 80% and 90%, respectively.

Fig. (1): Symptoms and causal organisms.

On the other hand, Zaghloul cv. was the most effective by the relative humidity to disease severity ranged (10.14%), followed by Sammany cv. ranged (8.76%). While, Siwey cv. was the moderate effective by relative humidity ranged (6.95%). While, Bartamoda and Sakoty cvs. were the less effective by the relative humidity to disease severity ranged (4.86% and 5.70% respectively).

Effect of water salinity on linear growth of fungus and disease incidence and severity. The most effect concentration of water salinity ECw (ds/m2) on reduction of linear growth (Table 6) of the fungus L. theobromae was 15.63 ranged (17.03%), followed by 12.50 ranged


(13.97%). While, the concentrations 9.38 and 6.25 were ranged (8.99% and 6.86%, respectively). On the other hand, the concentration 1.40 was no effect on fungus growth. While, the most effective concentration effective on disease severity (Table 7) was 26.5, followed by 18.4, 12.9 and 6.9 respectively. While, concentration 1.40 was no effect on disease severity. On the other hand, Zaghloul cv. was the most effective by water salinity to disease severity ranged (11.7%), followed by Sammany cv ranged (10.22%). While, Siwey cv. was the moderate effective by water salinity to disease severity ranged (8.89%). Cultivars Bartamoda and Sakoty was the less susceptible to water salinity to disease severity ranged 6.00% and 7.44% respectively).

Effect of root exudates on linear growth

of fungus L. theobromae. Data in table (8) showed that the most effective concentration of root exudates of all cultivars studied on reduction of linear growth of L. theobromae was 10% ranged (28.74%), followed by the concentration 5%, 2.5% and 1% ranged (24.56%, 21.50% and 17.97% respectively). On the other hand, Bartamoda cv. root exudates was the most effective on reduction of linear growth ranged (20.09%), followed by Sakoty, Siwey, Sammany and Zaghloul ranged (25.84%, 16.69%, 12.68% and 8.47% respectively).

Effect of biological control agents (biotic or abiotic) on linear growth of fungus and disease incidence and severity. All bioagents treatments (Table 9) decreased the linear growth of the pathogenic fungus L. theobromae. Jojoba oil the highest

effective on rate growth of the fungus, followed by Plant guard commercial product of biotic bioagent, while the Marjoram crude extract the least of effective on linear growth. Data in Table (10) showed that there is no significant between different treatments in the greenhouse (Marjoram, Jojoba and Plant guard), while there is significant between concentrations. The most effective concentration was C+ (fungicide) to decreased disease severity, followed by bioagents concentrations compared with control (C-).

DiscusionDate palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) for commercial plantations, is always propagated through offshoots (suckers). This is the only commercial method of vegetative clonal propagation used to multiply the best varieties. Offshoots are produced from axillary buds situated on the base of the trunk during the juvenile life of the palm. However, they develop slowly and the numbers produced per tree are limited. Furthermore, suckers are produced only within a certain period in the mother palm’s life. Thus, during the lifetime of an individual plant, only a low number of transplantable offshoots is available. Fungal root rot diseases of date palm are causing direct and indirect losses in orchards and nurseries in Egypt (Baraka et al., 2011a).

Temperature and relative humidity percent (Rh %) play important role in fungal diseases development of plants. Results of temperature and relative humidity studies were in Fig. (2): Pathogenicity test on different cultivars seedling of date palm.

5

6.6

7

1.6

7

11.1

1

2.7

8

15.5

6

3.8

9

20

22

.22

5.5

6

BARTAMODA SAKOTY SIWEY SAMMANY ZAGHLOUL CONTROL

Disease incidence % Disease severity %

GovernoratesAssociated fungi% Disease

incidence% Disease severity%L. theo. R. s. F. spp.

Bani-suef 50 30 20 20 13

Behara 70 20 10 40 25.5

Kaluobia 60 30 10 30 14.5

Table (1): Frequency of fungi associated with root rot disease of date palm offshoots in different governorates.

L. theo= Lasiodiplodia theobromae / R. s.= Rhizoctonia solan / F.= Fusarium


Table (2): Effect of temperature on linear growth of the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Table (3): Effect of relative humidity on linear growth of the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae

L.S.D. at 5% Degree= 4.76

L.S.D. at 5% Degree= 5.23

agreement with that of (Abdul et al., 2011; Arafat, 2011) reported that the optimum temperature for mycelial growth of L. theobromae is 30–35ºC and optimum temperature degree for infection is 30ºC. While, the optimum relative humidity for mycelial growth is 60-70% and optimum for infection is 60%. In addition, Banik et al. (1988) studied the effect of temperature, relative humidity and rainfall on the colony growth of Lasiodiplodia

theobromae and he found that the colony growth L. theobromae was maximum at the temperature level of 32ºC. The colony growth of this fungus was maximum at the temperature level of 25ºC according to the results of Patil and Phatak (1993). Temperature and relative humidity are effective on pathogenic fungi and disease severity of date palm seedlings for all cultivars (Arafat, 2011).

Water salinity is the important factor

effective on disease incidence and severity of date palm seedlings root rot disease caused by L. theobromae for all cultivars tested. Water salinity at all levels tested were increased the disease incidence and severity. In vitro salinity negligible effective on rate mycelial growth of L. theobromae, but maybe effective on root system of date palm, this results agreement with (Suleman et al., 2001; Arafat, 2011) whose suggested that the salinity of irrigation water could lead to opportunistic pathogens becoming more aggressive or could predispose healthy plants to these pathogens. Rashed et al. (2006) reported that increasing irrigation water salinity increased the root rot of date palm caused by Phytophthora palmivora in all salt concentrations tested. In addition, results indicated that high salinity levels might be a factor in root rot development leading to higher disease incidence.

The effect of five root exudates on the mycelial growth of L. theobromae evaluated was significantly differ between the extracts from five cultivars of date palm and the all concentrations tested. The highest activity was found in Bartamoda cv. followed by Sakoty, Siwey, Sammany and Zaghloul, respectively. The exudation of this compound’s has been highly dependent on the

Treatment Degree Linear growth (mm)

Temperature degrees (ºC)

25 63.30c

30 71.70b

35 90.00a

40 53.40d

Treatment Degree Linear growth (mm)

Relative humidity (Rh%)

60 83.33b

70 90.00a

80 79.70b

90 63.93c

Table (5): Effect of relative humidity on disease incidence and severity

T.- Treatment / D.-Degree / B.-Bartamoda / S.-Sakoty / Si.-Siwey / Sa.-Sammany / Z.-ZaghloulL.S.D. at 5% for Disease severity Degree (D) = 0.78 / Cultivars (V) = 0.87 / D X V= ns.

T. D. Cultivars

B. S. Si. Sa. Z.

D.I.% D.S.% D.I.% D.S.% D.I.% D.S.% D.I.% D.S.% D.I.% D.S.%

Rh% 60a26.67 6.67 28.89 7.22 35.56 8.89 46.67 11.67 51.11 12.78

70b22.22 5.56 24.44 6.11 28.89 7.22 35.56 8.89 42.22 10.56

80c17.78 4.44 22.22 5.56 24.44 6.11 28.89 7.22 37.78 9.44

90d 11.11 2.78 15.56 3.89 22.22 5.56 28.89 7.22 31.11 7.78

Mean 4.86d 5.70d 6.95c 8.76b 10.14a


cultivars, which indicates that all exudation process is determined by genetic factors (Wu, 2005). This could be explain the differences found in the five date palm cultivars tested. The efficacy of different biological control

agents (Marjoram crude extract, Jojoba oil and Plant guard commercial product) against L. theobromae were tested in vitro and in greenhouse. The results showed that all bioagents were significantly (P≤0.05) inhibited

the linear growth of the fungus tested with inhibition varying from one to another. On the other hand, Jojoba oil was the most effect in vitro and in greenhouse, followed by Plant guard and Marjoram. These results

Table (7): Effect of water salinity on disease incidence and severity of date palm cultivars

L.S.D. at 5% for disease severity (D.S.)Concentration (C) = 0.98 / Cultivars (V) = 0.98 / C X V = ns.

ConcentrationECw (ds/m2)

Cultivars

Bartamoda Sakoty Siwey Sammany Zaghloul

D.I.% D.S.% D.I.% D.S.% D.I.% D.S.% D.I.% D.S.% D.I.% D.S.%

1.4e 8.89 2.22 13.33 3.33 15.56 3.89 17.78 4.44 20.00 5.00

6.9d 22.22 5.56 24.40 6.11 28.89 7.22 33.33 8.33 37.78 9.44

12.9c 24.44 6.11 28.89 7.22 33.33 8.33 42.22 10.56 48.89 12.22

18.4b 31.11 7.78 37.78 9.44 42.22 10.56 48.89 12.22 60.00 15.00

26.5a 33.33 8.33 44.44 11.11 57.78 14.44 62.22 15.56 66.62 16.67

Mean 6.00e 7.44d 8.89c 10.22b 11.67a

Table (8): Effect of root exudates of date palm cultivars on reduction of linear growth of L. theobromae

Cultivars

Concentration of root exudates %

0 1 2.5 5 10Mean

Reduction of linear growth (%)

Bartamoda 00.00 32.43 34.43 37.17 41.30 29.09a

Sakoty 00.00 26.67 30.63 33.67 38.23 25.84b

Siwey 00.00 15.70 18.93 21.17 27.67 16.69c

Sammany 00.00 9.60 14.33 18.87 20.60 12.68d

Zaghloul 00.00 5.43 9.07 11.93 15.90 8.47e

Mean 00.00e 17.97d 21.50c 24.56b 28.74a 18.55

L.S.D. at 5%Cultivars (V) = 2.27 / Concentration (C) = 2.27 / V X C = 5.41

Table (6): Effect of water salinity on reduction linear growth of L. theobromae

Treatment ConcentrationECw (ds/m2) % Reduction of linear growth

Water salinity

1.40 0.00e

6.25 6.86d

9.38 8.99c

12.50 13.97b

15.63 17.03a

L.S.D. at 5% / Concentration= 0.43


agrees with the finding of Baraka et al. (2011b) they reported that the bioagents (biotic and abiotic) were effective in inhibition the linear growth of soil borne pathogenic fungi, and decreased the disease incidence and severity root rot of date palm seedlings

in all cultivars tested. Kaufman et al. (1999) they reported that the plant natural products containing the chemical natural substance could use against pathogenic fungi. Biological control agents may use a variety of inhibitory and suppressive

mechanisms (Etebarian et al., 2000; Whipps, 2001; Arafat et al., 2012).

ConclusionsHowever, both environmental factors were effective on growth rate of fungus, incidence and severity with all cultivars tested. Water salinity and root exudates were effective on linear growth of fungus, incidence and severity of date palm cultivars. In Biological control agents (biotic or abiotic) were effective in vitro on linear growth of fungus and in greenhouse to decreased incidence and severity root rot disease of date palm cultivars. This study focusing on environmental conditions, water salinity and root exudates and biological control which may applied in an integrated control program to decreased the direct and indirect losses which resulting from fungal root rot diseases.

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500ppma 83.33

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1Plant Pathology Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt 2The Central Laboratory for Date Palm Researches and Development, ARC, Giza, Egypt

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KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARD...personal photo with his CV including the full name, phone...

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