Effect of Pollen on Quantitative and Qualitative Charcteristics of Date Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Shahani

Pollination as one of the most important management factors in date orchards is playing a crucial role in improving fruit quality and yield. The aim of this experiment was to determine the best pollinizer for Shahani date cultivar in Jahrom Agricultural Research Stations, Fars and Tarbiat Modares, University, Tehran, during 2012-2013. To determine the most compatible pollinizer to Shahani date, the first experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with six treatments (Jahrom native pollen, Darab native pollen, Ghir and Karzin native pollen, Larestan native pollen, Frashband native pollen and tissue culture Boyer 11 pollen) and four replications. To investigate the viability of pollen, the second experiment was carried out in completely randomized design with six pollinizer treatments and four replications. The results of the first experiment showed that the effect of different pollinizer treatments on fruit set, yield, length, diameter, weight and volume of fruit was significant. The highest percentage of fruit set and yield was observed in the Larestan rootstocks and Larestan and Darab pollinizer treatments, respectively. Contrast to fruits ash and moisture content, pH and juice acidity, effect of different pollinizer treatments on flesh weight to stone ratio and TSS was significant. Based on the second experiment results, there were significant differences among studied pollinizers in term of pollen germination percentage. The highest and lowest pollen germination percentage was related to the Larestan and tissue culture Boyer 11 pollinizer male palm, respectively. Generally, the results showed that Larestan and Darab native pollens are the most suitable pollinizer cultivar for Shahani date in Jahrom areas of Iran.