DefinePK

Abstract

The main cause for low fruit set %, retaining ability, fruit weight and fruit yield per plant is the improper pollination in most of the commercial date palm varieties in different date palm growing countries of the world. Palms were fertilized by the suspended pollen spray method. Results of this study revealed that the maximum days to fruit set (23.40 and 22.10), fruit set (96.47 and 91.46%), fruit drop (43.7 and 26.81%), bunch weight (11.13 and 6.41 kg), and fruit yield (178.13 and 64.13 kg plant-1) was recorded with the maximum pollen strength of 8 g L-1 in both the cultivars Dhakki and Zahidi, respectively. On the other hand, the minimum values of these parameters were shown by the pollen strength of 2 g L-1 in both the date palm cultivars. Overall, the cultivar Dhakki achieved maximum values of fruit quality traits, with fruit size, fruit weight, and pulp weight. Hence, based on this study, the liquid pollen application of 8 g L-1 is suggested for attaining maximum fruit set and yields in date palm under the Agroecological situations of Dera Ismail Khan.