Effect of Strand Thinning on Yield and Quality Attributes of Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera) Cultivar Begum Jangi

Abstract

In the cultivation of date palms, one of the cultural practices of enhancing the quality of fruits and controlling the number of fruits produced is strand thinning. This paper tested the impact of various strand thinning levels on yield and quality characteristics of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivar Begum Jangi on agro-climatic environment at Turbat, Balochistan. The experiment was done on twelve 31 years old palms in a randomized complete block design with four treatments, which are control (no thinning), 10 after, 20 after and 30 after. The stage of kimri was carried out by hand, and equalized agronomic practices were applied. The findings of ANOVA and Bayesian analyses showed that strand thinning showed significant effects on most yield and quality parameters. There was maximum bunch weight (6.060 kg) with minimal thinning and maximum individual fruit weight (13.100 g), fruit length (5.187 cm), fruit volume (10.467 3 cm), and dry weight (9.170 g) with intensive thinning (30%). The quality of the biochemicals also improved with the intensity of the thinning and there was a higher total soluble solid (34.367 ^oBrix), higher content of ascorbic acid (48.733 mg/100g), higher pH, and lower titratable acidity. The weight of the seed was less influenced and the fruit diameter was not affected. In general, moderate thinning is acceptable to maximize yield whereas intensive thinning is useful to increase size and quality of fruits so that growers could maximize production to suit market demand.