Date Palm

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) is the most ancient cultivated in the world, commonly known as (the emblem of the desert). This versatile tree provides food, building material, shade, fuel and an income source. In the desert environment people’s very existence depended upon the date palm – thus earning the reputation as the “Tree of Life”. To this day many cultures still celebrate the heritage of this tree. 

Date palms are dioeciously having male and female trees. Females bear the fruit, males produce pollen. Natural pollination by wind is not efficient. Hand pollination is one of the oldest agricultural techniques. Using the mechanical pollination method, pollen collected from male flowers is mixed with a carrier such as talc powder, and is dusted on just-opened   female flower clusters.

Date palm is one of the oldest domesticated fruit crops (since 4000 BC in Ancient Egypt), and one of the most important growing in desert areas. Date palm trees are widely spread in arid and semi-arid areas within 10° and 39° in the Northern Hemisphere. It has also been introduced into other countries such as Pakistan, Australia, Mexico, South America, South Africa and Namibia.

Date palm grows well in areas with long and hot summers, and very low relative humidity levels during the ripening period.

• Date palm can be grown from sea level up to an altitude of 1500 m

• The optimal temperature for growth is about 32°C, but the date palm can withstand up to 56°C under irrigation.
• Date palm is tolerant of windy conditions and can bear strong, hot, dusty and dry winds. It is thus used as wind breaks for more sensitive plantations.

Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East for thousands of years. There is archaeological evidence of date cultivation in Arabia from the 6th millennium BCE. The date palm is something more than a fruit tree – it is considered a “Blessed Tree” having preeminent religious significance.  Date palms in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic religions were due mainly to the influence of the Prophet Abraham, who was born and raised in the old city of Ur where date palms were grown. Ibrahim’s love of the date and date palm left a lasting influence on these religions. It is frequently cited in the Quran and was consecrated by the Prophet Mohammed. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan dates are eaten to break the daily fasting. This is one of several annual events celebrated by various religions and cultures which lead to a high period of date sales and consumption on world markets.

The world date palm production reached about 8.5 million metric tons produced on about 1.149 million hectare of land, with more than 120 Million trees, countries of the Middle East and North Africa being the largest producers.

The date palm may reach an age of over 100 years

Harvesting time in the northern hemisphere takes place at the end of summer and in the fall, starting at the end of July (depending on the geographical area). In the southern hemisphere harvesting takes place in February, March and April.

Date palms varieties around 5000 variety the most important are (Medjool-Barhee-Sagae-Deglet Nour-Ajwa-Zamli-Lulu-Khenezi-Khadrawi-Maktomy-Zaghloul-Zahidi-Sewi-Anbarah-Barny-Hilali-Mabrum-Khalass-Safaawy-Sheeshee-Wananah-Nabtat Seaf-Nabtat Sultana-Sukkary )