EVALUATION OF THIRTEEN SEEDLING DATE PALMS GROWN IN ASWAN GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Abstract

This study was carried out during 2006 and 2007 seasons in order to evaluate 13 selected palms grown in Aswan governorate, Egypt, in comparison with the commercial cv. “Sakoty”. The average of the two years of yield per palm, as well as physical and chemical properties of fruit were recorded. Yield per palm was highest with palm no. 12 and 13 in comparison with other tested palms. as well as “Sakoty” cv. while the lowest yield was obtained from palm no. 2. Regarding, physical properties of fruit, fruits of palm no. 12 were the heaviest weight and highest pulp weight%. Concerning chemical properties, data proved the superiority of palm no. 13 in T.S.S% and total sugars content. Fruits of palm no. 6 had lower tannins and acidity% while the highest tannins% was recorded for “Sakoty”. General evaluation revealed that palm no.12 and 13 seemed to be the superior types in yield and fruit quality among all the tested palms, as they attained the uppermost score units as compared with the standard cv.” Sakoty”. On the contrary, palm no. 2 and 10 showed less palm yield and inferior fruit quality. Thus one can conclude that all 13 selected palms except palm no. 2 and 10 are of good fruit quality for consumer but only palm 12 and 13 showed the highest yield.