The province of Sindh and the people inhabiting the region are named after Indus River. Geographically it is the third largest province of Pakistan, stretching about 579 Km from north to south and 422 Km( extreme) or 281 Km (average) from east to west with an area of 140,915 square Kilometers ( 54, 408 sq.mi) of Pakistan territory. Sindh lies in a tropical and sub-tropical region.
It is hot in summer and mild to warm in winter. Temperature frequently rise above 460C (115 0F) between May and August and the minimum temperature of 2 0C (36 0F) occurs during December and January in the northern and higher elevated region. The annual rainfall average about seven inches, falling mainly in July and August. Central Sindh maximum temperature reaches 43-44 0C (109-111 0F) (1).
Dwarf palm (Nannorhops ritchieana and date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) are monocotolydenous plant species belonging to family Arecaceae (Palmae). Arecaceae is large family of 200-210 genera and 2800-3000 species distributed mainly in the tropical and sub-tropical region of the world. (2) (3)
Cultivation dates are grown in over 40 countries of the world, with production of 1.170 million metric tons. Egypt occupied the leading position among the top date producing country. In Pakistan the dates are produced in: Khair pur Mirs, Therhi, Babarloi, Piryaloi, Garrhi Mori, Pir Jo Goath, Rohri and Pano Aqil in Sindh; Turbat and Panjgur in Baluchistan, Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Nawabshah and southern district of Punjab (4)
There are three main cultivar groups of dates like soft, semi-dry and dry. The type of fruit depends on the glucose, fructose and sucrose content. In soft dates about 80% of the dry matter is invert sugars (mixture of equal parts of glucose and fructose), while in semi-dry dates about 40% of dry matter is invert sugars and 40% of sucrose). In dry dates about 20-40% of dry matter is invert sugar and 40-60% is sucrose (6)
In Pakistani varieties are: Aseel, Shakri, Bhedr, Kharbalaen, Thotar, Fasli of Sindh. Begum Jangi, Shakri, Muzawati, Alibi, Sabzo, Ape-Dandan, Hussani, Chapshuk, Kahraba of Baluchistan, Dashtiari, Swore, Dakki, Azadi, Gulstan, Muscat, Shakri of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Hillavi, Khundawi, Sharman, Zahidi and Ziri of Punjab (4).
Sindh date varieties are: Aseel, Karbalian, Fasli, Dedhi, Kupro, Gajjar, and Kachoo wari, Began, Mithri, Bhedir, Khar, Autaqin and Asul Khurmo. Out of which the Aseel is the most important commercial variety of Pakistan. The fruit of this variety is consumed at Rutab (Dang) and Tamr stage. It is not consumed at Khalal stage due to presence of Tannin. It is harvested at Khalal stage and boils it to make “Chuhara” before monsoon. It is destroyed with rain so farmers harvest it early (5). While other rain resistant varieties are Halawy, Shamran (Sayer) and Zahidi. The only thing is that their fruit are medium to small in size, are suitable for raw eating and processing as soft dates (7).
The annual production of date is estimated 535,000 tonnes, of which only 86,000 tonnes are exported and rest are consumed locally or perish (8). Total production of date in the year 2006-2007 was 426,281 tonnes of which Sindh share was 47.2% followed by Baluchistan 40.4%, Punjab 10.1% and NWFP only 0.3% (9)
U.K imported fresh date worth of some 2274593 Kilograms , UAE imported 967074Kg, U.S. 2179718 Kg, Afghanistan 300860 Kg and Saudi Arabia imported some 289150Kg of fresh date from Pakistan in 2013. In same way Nepal was the 2nd largest country after India that imported dried date around 996880 Kilogram from Pakistan during FY-2013, Bangladesh was 3rd importing country, importing 931400 Kg and Germany imported 32600 Kg of dried date, U.K. 140250 Kg and UAE imported date 211198 Kilogram from Pakistan during the same period of FY 2013 (10).
Pakistan is a major date exporting country and stand 2nd in export after Tunisia. Pakistan dates are exported to Bangladesh, India, Germany, Canada, Japan, UAE, Denmark, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, USA, and UK. Pakistani quality date fetch a price between 600-1500 US $ per ton in Europe and North American markets. The prices may go up to 2000 US$ per tons if dates are properly processed and packed. Pakistan exported 1079 tons of fresh date and 667 tons of dry dates to USA in 2008. Bangladesh imported 1057 tons of fresh dates and 557 tons of dry dates from Pakistan during 2008. Pakistan is generating major income from the export of dry dates. Pakistan has exported over 100,125 tons of dry date to India, worth US$ 38 million out of total dry dates exported of US$ 39.9 million during that period (11).
Date palm is grown in sandy loam soil. Stem is un-branched reaching up to30 m high, usually surrounded at the base by root suckers and covered for considerable distance by bases of fallen leaves. Leaves are glabrous, grayish green; 2.5-5 m long, leaflets distichously, 16-45 cm long and 2 cm broad, and sharply pointed the lowest converted in to spines (12).
Inflorescence is covered by hard, boat like bract. Female inflorescence is 90-120 cm long, main stalk flat 45-75 cm long, and flowers rounded, green and distant. Male inflorescence is much smaller, 12-25 cm long, some time larger, main stalk 60-90 cm long, flat, glabrous. Fruit is cylindrical (2.5-5) X (1-0.5) cm edible, fleshy, yellowish brown to reddish brown. Seeds are stony, acute at the apex, longitudinally grooved from one side (2)
The date palm transplanting time is usually in May to July. Flowering season is February to March and harvesting time is July to October. The date palm have one growing season, which takes 200-210 days from pollination to full maturation ( Saleem, 2004) (5). Date palm is dioecious, having separate male and female flowers. They can easily grow from seeds, but only 50% seedling will be female and hence fruit bearing but dates from seedling are smaller in size and poor quality. So the commercial plantation use cutting of heavily cropping cultivar. Plants grown from cuttings will fruit 2-3 years earlier than seedling plants.
Parthenocarpic cultivars are available but the seedling fruit is smaller and low quality. Dates ripen in four stages, Kimri (Un-ripen), Khlal (full size crunchy) rutab (ripe, soft), and tamir (ripe, sun dried). Date palm after planting 4-8 years give fruits but produce viable yield for commercial harvest in 7-10 years. Mature date palm can produce 68-176 kilogram (150-300 Ib) of date per harvest season. The fruit ripen at different time, so several harvest are required. In order to get best marketable fruit, it need thinning and fruit bunches are bagged or covered before ripening, so the remaining fruit gain size and it is protected from weather and pest (13)(14).
Food value per 100 g of edible portion of date produces calories.142. Date fruit consist of 70% carbohydrates, 2.5% protein, 0.4% fat, 2.1% minerals, 3.9% fiber and 15-30% moisture content. Vitamin A, B-complex and Vitamin K are also found in dates (15).
In order to improve quality and yield of fruit per tree farmer engage laborers in the beginning of the every calendar year to cut-down un-necessary fronds and for de-thorning of the tree (4).The palm are pruned twice a year, dry fronds being removed in the fall and leaf base may be taken-off in the spring in order that their fiber may be used as substitute for coir (16).
Soft dates may be picked early while they are still light colored. Semi-dry dates may be picked –up as soon as they are soft then ripen artificially at temperature of 80-90 0F(26.67-35 0C) depending upon the cultivar. Slightly under ripe “Deglet Noor” date will be kept 32 0F (0 0C) up to 10 months, fully mature for 5-6 months (16).
Date palm required hot growing season, maximum temperature of 90 0F (32.22 0C) with virtually no rain , less than half inch ( 1.25 cm) in the ripening season. It survive in sand, sandy loam, clay and other heavy soil but need good drainage and aeration. It is tolerant of alkali and moderate degree of salinity (16).
Manure is applied at the beginning of winter season and fertilizer in March/ April. Adult tree should be fed 600 g Nitrogen, 100 g Phosphorus, and 700 g Potash per year. The application of Potash and phosphorus should be monitored according to soil condition. Application of 12.5 to 35.2 tonnes/ha. A farm yard is beneficial (17).
There are three techniques to propagate date palm: seed propagation, off-shoot propagation ( traditional method) and tissue culture technique. The seed propagation also called sexual propagation. It is not a proper method of vegetative propagation because date palm is dioecious species and resulted in to half of progeny male and half female and that will also appear after seven year when plant give flowers. Seedling plants are showing late maturity and inferior quality compared to established clonal palm. Because date palm is heterozygous, so there is much variation within progeny. It is easiest and quickest method but it is not true to type propagation technique and no two seedling are alike (18).
Off-shoot is called asexual or vegetative propagation. They are true to type to the parent palm. The off-shoot developed from axillary buds on the truck of the mother plant and consequently the fruit produced will be of the same quality as the mother palm and ensure uniformity of produce. The off-shoots will bear fruits 2-3 years earlier than seedlings, but it does not satisfy large need of plant material because off-shoot production is limited to a certain period in the palm life span (a short vegetative phase of about 10-15 years) during this short phase, only a limited number of off-shoots are produced (20 to 30 off shoots, at most depend upon the variety (18).
Tissue culture technique of date palm also called in vitro propagation. It has many advantages like:
• Propagation of healthy selected female cultivars (disease and pest free), beyond resistant cultivars or male having superior pollen with useful metaxenia characteristic, which can easily and rapidly be propagated.
• Large scale multiplication.
• No seasonal effect on plant because they are multiplied under controlled conditions in the laboratory throughout the year.
• Production of genetically uniform plants.
• Clones to be propagated from elite cultivars already in existence or from the F1 hybrid of previous selection, and seed only originated palm.
• Ensure easy and fast exchange of plant material between different regions of the country or between countries without any risk of spread of diseases and pest.
• Economically reliable when large production is required (18).
Date palms have following diseases and disorders:
• Sudden decline (drying) due to soil borne Fusarium Solani.
• Grapholia leaf spot caused by Grapholia Phoenies.
• Leaf spot of date palm caused by Mycosphaerella spp.
• Inflorescence rots of date palm caused by Mauginiella Scacttae.
• Fruit rot of date palm caused by Aspergilus spp.
• Diplodia disease of date palm caused by Diplodia Phoenicum.
• Red palm weevil or Indian palm weevil, Rhychophorus Ferrugineus also damage the date palm in Sindh.
• Lesser date Moth (Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick).
• Fruit stalk borer (Oryctes elgans Prell).
While cross cut and leaf Apical drying are physiological disorders (5).
Date palm has large number of uses .These is as under:
• Pitted dates are filled with almond and walnut or cream cheese, vinegar also made from dates (19) (20).
• Dried date also feed to horses.
• The Caffeic acid glycoside 3-o-Caffeoylshikimic acid also known as dactylifric acid) and its isomers are enzymic browning substrate found in dates (21).
• Thick syrup used in coating for leather bags and also in pipes to prevent leaking.
• It used for making ropes, basket to beehives, fishing boats, traditional dwellings.
• Date palm seed contain 0.56-5.4% lauric acid; seeds can also be processed chemically as a source of oxalic acid.
• Experimental studies shown that feeding mice with aqueous extract of date pits exhibit anti-genotoxic and reduce DNA damage induced by N-Nitroso-N-methyl urea (22).
• Fruit clusters are used as brooms.
• Sap is used as Jiggery or guar. making.
• Leaves are used for mat, screens, basket, and fans. Dried leaf petioles are source of cellulose pulp, use for walking sticks, broom, fishing boat and fuel.
• Wood is used for posts and rafters or hurts (23).
Conclusion.
We have to learn from the research work of other countries like:
In Iraq growth regulators have been experimentally applied to developing dates. In “Zahidi” and “Sayer” napthaleneaetic acid at 60 ppm, applied 15-16 weeks after pollination, improve quality and increase fruit weight by 39%. Moisture content was elevated. Ripening was delayed for 30 days or more (16)
In Egypt , Isoenzyme analysis and activities of peroxidase (PER), poly phenol oxidase (POD) and glutamate Oxalo acetate (GOT) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprints, were used to analyze somaclonal variation in tissue culture derived date palm plants. The frequency of somaclonal variation was found to be age dependent.(24)
The more work is needed to study Halway, Shamran (Sayer) and Zahidi, rain tolerant varieties. There is need to develop the drought resistant, salt tolerant and seedless varieties. More research is needed to establish dwarf varieties so harvesting become easier and economical.
Gwader Sea port and Coastal high way helps in boosting the export of date from Baluchistan and coastal area and bring the prosperity. Government also encourages the cottage industry this will help to improve self employment structure and living standard in rural communities. Government also provides disease free plants produced by tissue culture. Improve the harvesting techniques which reduced labor load.
Government with public-private partnership, open new harvesting, processing, storage, transportation and marketing channels. This will help to raise the export of date to US$ 200 million from the current US$ 28 million. This will open the new job opportunities and boost employment and raised the economy of the country.
References.
1. Wikipedia.org- Sindh.
2. K.A.Malik, “Palmae” in; E.Nasir and S.I.Ali, Eds, Flora of Pakistan, Karachi, vol.153, 1984, pp.18-24.
3. R.L.Riffle”Horticulture. Palm Pruning”, 2011. http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/horticultue/vpe horticulture 1.htm
4. (thenews.com). Export of date bright prospect by Alluddin Masood.
5. (academia.edu) proceeding of the international Seminar. Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI), 28th July 2009. Edited by Ghulam Sarwar Markand, Dr. Adel .A. Abdul Saud. Shah Abdul latif university Khairpur. Sindh. Pakistan.
6. Bender D.A and A.E.Bender 2005. Dictionary of Food and nutrition. New York. Oxford University press.
7. (fruitpedia.com) Date (Phoenix Dactylifera L).
8. (gnspk.com) Al-Mehran Products, Pakistan becomes third largest exporter of date.
9. Prospect of Date Export. News by Mohammad Arifeen.
10. Proper packaging may boost export many fold: TDAP (Business Recorder).
11. MINFAL “Agriculture statistics of Pakistan”, Government of Pakistan. Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Economic wing. Islamabad.
12. S.M.H.Jafri, “The flora of Karachi”, the book corporation Karachi, 1966 .pp.76-77.
13. http://www.plant science.ucdavis.edu/GEPTS?Pb143/CROP/DATE?date.htm.
14. http://www.unce.unr.edu/publication/file/ho/2002/sp.0212.pdf.
15. Ethan botanical studies on dwarf palm (Nannorhops ritchieana (Griff) Aitchison) and date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) in Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan; Sarfaraz Khan Marwat, Khalid usman , Ejaz Ahmed Khan, Said ghulam, Jalaluddin Baloch, Abdul Mann Tauqeer, Fazal-ur-Rehman; American Journal of Plant Science; vol.3. No.8 (2012). Article ID.22201, 4p. Doi. 10.4236/ajps.2012.38141.
16. Morton J.1987. Date.p.5-11. In Fruits of Warm Climate; Julia F.Morton, FL.Date.(hot.purdu.edu) Last up dated.5/26/114 by ch.
17. Dr. R.N.Pal; Deputy Director General (Horticulture) Indian Council of Agriculture Research. Krishi Bhawn, New Delhi. 110001. India.
18. (fao.com). Chapter. Date Palm Propagation by A. zaid and P.F.de.wet. Date production support program.
19. Das, Bhagwan, Sarin J.L.(1936)” Vinegar from date” Industrial and Engineering chemistry 28(7);814.doi.10.1021/ie 50319a 016.
20. Fabes, Robert James (1971) Studies in Ancient Technology.
21. Maier, VP, Metzler, DM, Huber AF (1964)” 3-o-Caffeoyl-Shikimic acid (dactylifric acid) and its isomers, a new class of enzyme browning substrate “Biochemical and biophysical research communication. 14:124-8.PMID. 5836492.
22. Diab, K.A, E.I.Abdul-Ela(2012)”In vitro comparative studies on Antigen toxicity of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) Pit extract against DNA damage induced by N-Nitroso-N-Methyl urea in mice. Toxicology International 19(3):279-286.
23. Wikipeida.org- Date palm.
24. Detection of somaclonal variation in tissue-culture derived date palm plant using isoenzyme analysis and RAPD fingerprint. M.M.Saker, S.A.Bekheet, H.S.Taha, A.S.Fahmy and M.A.Moursy; Plant cell and tissue culture department and molecular biology department. National research center, 12622. Dokki, Cairo-Egypt (link.springer.com).