| Author(s) | R. S. Al-Obeed*, M. A. Harhash* and N. S. Fayez** |
| Affiliation | * Plant Production Dept., College of Food & Agric. Sciences, King Saud Univ. ** Buraydah College of Agricultural Technology, Saudi Arabia. |
| Title | Effect of Bunch Thinning on Yield and Fruit Quality of Succary Date Palm Cultivar Grown in the Riyadh Region |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Agricultural Sciences. Volume 17, No 2. (2005/1425) |
| Abstract | The present study was carried out during 2000 and 2001 growing seasons at the Agricultural Experimental Station, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh. The aim of this research was to study the effect of bunch thinning (shortening or removal of strands) and its application date on yield and fruit properties of Succary date palm cultivar grown under Riyadh region conditions. In general, the data indicated that bunch thinning treatments led to reduced bunch weight as compared to the control treatment. The 20% shortening of strands gave less reduction in bunch weight (6.8% and 7.0%) in both seasons, respectively. Meanwhile, removing 40% of strands number gave the least average bunch weight. The time of thinning application has a significant effect on average bunch weight in both seasons, in which the late one (8 weeks after pollination) gave less bunch weight. The bunch thinning treatments led to a significant increase in fruit weight, volume, length and diameter, flesh and seed weight in both seasons. Moreover, the treatments effect was more pronounced at pollination time. The 20% and 40% shortening of strands gave the highest values. The fruit water content decreased as a result of thinning process, whereas 40% thinning of strands number gave the lowest value, while the highest value of fruit water content was recorded in control treatment. The fruit total soluble solids decreased and total sugar contents increased by bunch thinning treatments. Under similar conditions, 20% shortening of strands at pollination time could be recommended to obtain a reasonable yield with good fruit quality. |
