Growing Better Date Palm
Improving Fruit Quality
The potential quality of the fruit is determined early in the Chimri growth stage when the fruit is developing (0-4 mm in size). During this time cell division is taking place. Any stress encountered by the crop during this period can interfere with cell division, reducing the future quality of the fruit and creating physiological disorders and uneven development. Following this stage the cells size and as the size increases the problems become visible. Foliar calcium sprays can help as they increase cell wall thickness allowing the fruit to reach a larger size before the problem becomes visible. However the best approach is to combine calcium application with a growth stimulant to increase cell division. InCa supplies both calcium and stimulants and can be applied when the fruit is small to improve shape and quality. This product will also elevate moisture content of the date.
Reducing Disease
Poor use of nitrogen can increase disease incidence by producing weak watery growth. In field conditions most crops receive too much nitrate nitrogen in relation to ammonium and amine nitrogen, which can create vegetative growth at the expense of fruit and bud development. PiNT Calcium supplies the correct balance of the three nitrogen forms–this encourages reproductive growth allowing the plant to use more of its energy producing fruit. This gives earlier fruiting, more fruit, better size and reduced disease. In addition PiNT calcium supplies vital calcium to the plant. Research shows that this approach can reduce susceptibility to diseases such as phytophera, fusarium, graphiola, and omphalia.
Hold more flowers and fruit
When flowers and fruit are developing the quality is adversely affected if conditions lead to rapid shoot growth. This rapid shoot development acts as a sink for food, and ‘robs’ the flower or fruit of food leading to uneven sizing, and flower or fruit abortion. Speedo Saxon encourages the sugars made in the leaves to move to the fruit, decreases shoot growth, and boosts root growth. This creates larger and more evenly sized crop, and allows the plant to hold a higher quantity of dates on the inflorescence. This reduces the need for thinning of the spadex. It may also improve pollination, by supplying boron, which is essential for development of the pollen tubules.
Quick Offshoot Establishment
PiNT Calcium encourages strong early root production by offshoots, encouraging quick healthy establishment of offshoots. This will make the young palm much less susceptible to dehydration by cold, wind or heat. PiNT Calcium will improve the plants tolerance to excess and insufficient water by creating a more robust root system. Speedo Saxon can be used to both stimulate root development, and ensure an uninterrupted supply of vital trace elements during the vital early establishment of the new palm.
Improving growth in temperature extremes
During cool or hot temperatures the date palms ability to synthesise growth hormones declines disproportionately to give a slow-down in development, and often a quality reduction. Normal balance can be restored by application of InCa to give improved growth and quality during temperature extremes (below 18°C or above 30°C).
Extending Shelf Life
Shelf life of fruit is controlled by ethylene, which encourages the breakdown of compounds that bind together the cells in the fruit, and weakens cell walls. Fruit shelf life can be extended post harvest by limiting ethylene production using chilling, or controlled atmosphere storage. It can also be improved by better practice pre-harvest.By loading the fruits cells with calcium using Speedo Balance, or PiNT Calcium the cells in the fruit become less susceptible to ethylene following harvest – thus increasing shelf-life and improving other quality aspects.
Reversing Decline and Increasing the Life of the Palm
If palms are in decline either physiological decline or decline resulting from omphalia, then the decline is usually preceded by a weakened root system. Crops growing on salty or high sodium soils or that have been heavily fertilised with Nitrogen for several seasons are more likely to suffer root decline. The root system can be reinvigorated using PiNT Calcium, which will improve root growth and health, and suppress sodium uptake. Improving root health is also beneficial in reducing nematode attack, and root disease.
Improving Size and flavour before harvest
Size and sugar content of the fruit can be enhanced by application of Speedo Balance at 5 lts per ha 3 weeks prior to harvest. This is an effective way of increasing the average size of fruit on the cluster. It gives better uniformity and can reduce the number of pickings needed. It will also increase sugar levels in the fruit for better flavour.
Rates and Recommendations for Date Palm
Speedo Saxon
Application rate: 2-3lts per ha as foliar spray in minimum 100lts water. Or use a 0.5% spray solution and spray till run-off.
Timing: 1 month intervals starting 2 months before flowering.
PiNT Calcium
Soil Application: 100-300lts per ha per season split into applications of 25- 50lts (0.25 to 0.5 lts per palm depend- ing on size of palm).
Foliar Application: 5-10 lts per ha, or 1% spray solution and spray till run- off.
Timing: Soil – First application 3 months before flowering, then apply at 4-6 week intervals. Foliar - spray from flowering till last picking at 3 weekly intervals.
PiNT Potassium
Soil Application: up-to 50lts per ha per season split into applications of 25- 50lts. Or 2 applications of 0.25lts per palm
Foliar Application: 5-10 lts/ha, or 1% spray solution and spray till run-off.
Timing: Start applications when dates have reached the Khalal growth stage.
Speedo Balance
Application Rate – 5 lts per ha.
Timing: To improve size and sugar content prior to harvest apply 3-4 weeks prior to each picking.
InCa
Application rate: 1lt per ha either as a foliar or through drip irrigation system.
Timing: Heat stress - apply at 20 day intervals during periods of high temperatures (above 30°C). Cold stress – apply at 20 day intervals during periods of low temperatures (below 18°C).
Fruit Quality - Foliar apply 1 week after inflorescence emerges from the crown, and then at 15 – 20 day intervals. Apply direct to inflorescence using 0.25% spray solution.
