Date Palm Leaf Research Articles

Valorization of date palm leaves for adsorptive remediation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide polluted agricultural runoff

Alarming rates of water contamination by toxic herbicides have prompted the need and attention for easy, efficient, and affordable treatment options with a touch of circular economy aspects. This study valorized date palm leaf (DPL) wastes into a valuable adsorbent for remediating agricultural wastewater polluted with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-DPA) herbicide. The DPL precursor was modified with H2SO4 treatment and both biomass samples were characterized by various analytical techniques. Acid treatment modified the morphology, thermal, and textural properties of the final product (TDPL) while maintaining the structure and surface chemistry intact. Simulated wastewaters containing 2,4-DPA were subsequently treated using TDPL as an adsorbent. Optimum adsorption conditions of pH 2, dosage 0.95 g/L, shaking speed 200 rpm, time 120 min, and temperature 30 °C showed a good herbicide removal efficiency in the range of 55.1–72.6% for different initial feed concentrations (50–250 mg/L). Experimental kinetic data were better represented by the pseudo-second-order model, while the Freundlich isotherm was reliable in describing the equilibrium behavior of the adsorption system. Further, the thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption occurred spontaneously, favorably, and exothermically. Plausible sorption mechanism involved electrostatic interactions, weak van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and π-π interactions between the participating phases. Conspicuously, TDPL application to real-world situations of treating actual herbicide-polluted agricultural runoff resulted in a 69.4% remediation efficiency. Thus, the study demonstrated the valorization of date palm leaves into a valuable and industry-ready adsorbent that can sequester toxic 2,4-DPA herbicide contaminant from aqueous streams.

Studies on Oman elite date palm varieties and preliminary establishment of identity through SSR marker

The Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is perennial, diploid plant found abundantly in the Middle East region. It plays a significant role in traditional as well socioeconomic growth in the Sultanate of Oman. The main focus of the current work is to identify different methods of DNA extractions for date palm leaf and further to study the genetic diversity among the seven different cultivar varieties, within the Sultanate of Oman, using SSR marker. Seven cultivars were obtained randomly from different places in Oman namely Khasab, Naghal, Barni, Madloki, Khenezi, Nasho and Fard. Genomic DNA was extracted using Edwards’s method and Maxi kit method (QIAGEN). Fingerprint is established by PCR amplification of DNA samples with five sets of SSR primers to identify the diversity between individual date palm from seven different locations. This study will help the researchers as a tool and the markers for the similarity and differences analysis as well as mapping of date palm in Sultanate of Oman. The findings of the study indicated that five SSR primers tested were able to produce amplicons for date palms from different locations. Percentage of similarity between seven date palm cultivars from different locations was found to be having 74 % significance.

Study Application Effect of Impermeable Soil Layer and Date Palm Leaf Mulch on Some MorphoPhysiological and Biochemical Traits of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under Low Irrigation Stress

Study Application Effect of Impermeable Soil Layer and Date Palm Leaf Mulch on Some MorphoPhysiological and Biochemical Traits of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under Low Irrigation Stress

Natural Cyanobacteria Removers Obtained from Bio-Waste Date-Palm Leaf Stalks and Black Alder Cone-Like Flowers.

The impact of urbanization and modern agricultural practice has led to accelerated eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems, which has resulted in the massive development of cyanobacteria. Very often, in response to various environmental influences, cyanobacteria produce potentially carcinogenic cyanotoxins. Long-term human exposure to cyanotoxins, through drinking water as well as recreational water (i.e., rivers or lakes), can cause serious health consequences. In order to overcome this problem, this paper presents the synthesis of completely new activated carbons and their potential application in contaminated water treatment. The synthesis and characterization of new active carbon materials obtained from waste biomass, date-palm leaf stalks (P_AC) and black alder cone-like flowers (A_AC) of reliable physical and chemical characteristics were presented in this article. The commercial activated carbon (C_AC) was also examined for the purpose of comparisons with the obtained materials. The detailed characterization of materials was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), low-temperature N2 physisorption, and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Preliminary analyzes of the adsorption capacities of all activated carbon materials were conducted on water samples from Aleksandrovac Lake (Southern part of Serbia), as a eutrophic lake, in order to remove Cyanobacteria from water. The results after 24 h showed removal efficiencies for P_AC, A_AC, and C_AC of 99.99%, 99.99% and 89.79%, respectively.

Inhibitory Effect of Azadirachta Indica A. Juss and Eucalyptus Camaldulensis Extracts on the Growth of Alternaria Alternate that Causes Palm Leaf Spot Disease

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of water, alcohol and oil extracts of two types of plants, Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, with three concentrations (10, 20 and 30)% of each extract against the fungus Alternaria alternate that causes date palm leaf spot disease. The laboratory results showed that the oily extract of the seeds of A. indica gave the highest percentage of radial growth inhibition of the pathogenic fungus, which was 71.1, 75.3 and 77.5 at concentrations of 10, 20 and 30%, respectively, followed by the oil extract of E. camaldulensis leaves in the second place, which gave the percentage of Inhibition reached 55.1, 59.8 and 62.7%, respectively, at the same mentioned concentrations, As for the effect of extracts on the severity of palm leaf infestation with the pathogenic fungus, we note the superiority of A. indica seed oil extract in reducing infection severity, which amounted to 42.1, 38.8 and 23.6% at concentrations 10, 20 and 30%, respectively, followed by the oil extract of E. camaldulensis leaves in the rank. The second, which reduced the infection rate to 52.2, 46.5 and 42.1%, respectively, at the same concentrations, compared to the control treatments, in which the severity of infection reached 83.6 and 82.8%. It is worth noting that all plant extracts and their tested concentrations significantly reduced the severity of palm leaf spot disease compared to the control treatment.

Flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams made of normal and polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete containing date palm leaf ash

Nowadays, the fast development of the construction industry and the growing need for constructional material along with the emerging concerns about the environmental issues have pushed researchers to consider and investigate the possible use of local, recycled, and waste materials as an alternative in the production of new building materials. Concrete is one of the widely used constructional materials and cement is its main component. Cement production is a highly energy-consuming process that emits a considerable amount of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Therefore, partly replacing cement with other cementitious materials can reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution. In the present study, the effects of Date Palm Leaf Ash (DPLA) on the mechanical properties of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete (PFRC) are investigated experimentally. For this purpose, different cubic, cylindrical, and beam specimens of Normal Concrete (NC) and PFRC with various DPLA replacement ratios (1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) are cast for the compressive, tensile splitting and four-point bending tests, respectively. The effects of the DPLA on the mechanical properties, cracking and failure behavior of NC and PFRC is evaluated by performing tests on a total of 117 specimens. According to the obtained results, the addition of DPLA to concrete has a positive effect on the compressive and flexural strength of hardened concrete, as well as its toughness. Moreover, it is observed that DPLA improves the ductility of concrete. Based on the test results, the optimum value of the DPLA replacement ratio is equal to 3% and 5% for the compressive and flexural strength, respectively. Finally, based on the attained results, predictive models are proposed to determine the tensile strength of normal and fiber-reinforced concrete containing DPLA.

Date palm brittle leaf agent

This datasheet on Date palm brittle leaf agent covers Identity, Distribution, Hosts/Species Affected.

Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal and Dynamic Study of Composites of Unsaturated Polyesters-Date Palm Leaf Fiber DPLF

In order to improve the properties of unsaturated polyesters, this study discusses the possibilities of developing a natural waste, date palm leaf fiber DPLF, produced in the northern Algerian Sahara, associated with the polymer matrix of a thermosetting polyester resin UP. For this purpose, composite plates containing virgin fiber at rates of 6 and 10% were treated with an alkaline solution of 6% NaOH on the one hand, and a silane compound on the other. In this research, a mechanical study of strength and elongation at break was carried out. In addition, morphological behavior was followed by SEM scanning electron microscopy. ATG thermogravimetric analysis and energy flow were monitored by DSC differential scanning calorimetry. Also, a study of the water absorption capacity has been conducted. In addition, a dynamic mechanical analysis DMA was carried out. The findings of this study show that there is a favorable mechanical behavior for the composites containing the 6% and 10% DPLF fiber, with alkaline NaOH and Silane treatment. They also show that the chemical treatment with alkaline solution and silane gives composites certain thermal stability compared to those with untreated fiber. Findings also explore that the absorption of water by the various composites shows that the chemical treatment promotes some intermolecular associations with water. Findings also show that the storage modulus (E') increases when the composite contains 10% DPLF, treated and untreated, and the maximum value of the tangent moves towards the high temperature for the treated and untreated fiber composite.

Detection, Disease Severity and Chlorophyll Prediction of Date Palm Leaf Spot Fungal Diseases

Detection, Disease Severity and Chlorophyll Prediction of Date Palm Leaf Spot Fungal Diseases

Compressive Characterization of Date Palm Leaf Fiber

ABSTRACT In this present work, the surface of date palm leaf fiber has been modified by means of different chemical treatments. The thermal, morphological, mechanical, and water absorption characteristics of DPL fibers were investigated. The effect of the surface modifications of the DPL fibers was envisioned through the SEM micrographs, which shows the existence of voids and rough surfaces because of the elimination of lignin, wax, and pectin from the fiber. FTIR spectroscopy of DPL fibers was done, to check the effects of surface modifications on the fiber composition. XRD analysis confirms the improvement in crystallinity index of the surface-modified DPL fibers. The thermogravimetric analysis confirms augmentation in the thermal stability and tensile strength of the surface-modified fibers. The water absorptivity test conforms the reduction in the water absorption of the DPL fiber after surface modification. Furthermore, the DSC curve shows the temperature range for the moisture vaporization from fibers, fiber degradation, and the formation of char.key words-Natural fiber,Composite,Date palm leaf fiber,XRD,SEM,FTIR

Date palm waste pyrolysis into biochar for carbon dioxide adsorption

Mitigation of CO2 is a very popular research currently, it is ultimately beneficial to find new ways that are sustainable, low cost and gas emission friendly. Therefore, with biochar’s characteristics and properties it has great potential to be used as a CO2 capture and storage media. The objectives of reducing palm waste by using the low-cost, sustainable method for reducing and storing CO2, characterize the DPL biochar through FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and then evaluate the efficiency of the date palm leaf waste biochar in adsorbing CO2 through the Gas–Solid analyzer technology. Date palm leaf was set in pyrolysis process at 500°C peak at a 10°C per min rate for 5 h. The peaks of maximum intensity are approximately 1000 to 1500 cm −1; two peaks are approximately 1110 and 1600 cm-1 as the transition rises when the peaks are wider and shorter. Carbonyls, Alkenes, Alkynes, and others were found in feature groups, but the maximum area with O-H and C-H bonds and vibration picks is reduced and nearly non-existent. Biochar showed porous and heterogeneous structures with various magnifications, which give a greater amount of surface for adsorption. XRD analysis indicated that cellulose could progressively be decreased. The weighing of each component was 83.56% for Carbon, 12.43% for Oxygen, 1.12% for Potassium, 1.64% for Calcium, 0,83% for Phosphorus and 0.4% for Magnesium. The presence of these metals gives a strong CO2 attraction. The area value was found to have been approximately 3.117, reflecting the total CO2 obtained by the date palm leaf biochar. This shows that 300 gr of DPL biochar have been consumed by just one third of CO2. Date palm leaf of biochar’s shows a carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency of 20% and measured CO2 adsorption per g of biochar DPL of 0.017 g at 500 °C pyrolysis temperature and conditions set.

Utilization of the UAE date palm leaf biochar in carbon dioxide capture and sequestration processes

This paper evaluates the potential use of date palm leaf biochar as a climate change solution through CO2 capture and sequestration. The pyrolysis of date palm leaf was performed at different temperatures 300°, 400°, 500°, and 600 °C. The physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized biochar were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Direct gas-solid interaction was carried out in an integrated Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR), connected with a gas analyzer for maximum and effective mixing between the biochar and CO2. LabView program was used as data acquisition for an instantaneous calculation of CO2 adsorption. This study showed that the date palm biochar as porous carbon-based materials has high CO2 adsorption capacity through physisorption and chemisorption progressions. The adsorption results showed a maximum CO2 capture percentage of 0.09 kg CO2/kg, 0.15 kg CO2/kg, 0.20 kg CO2/kg, and 0.25 kg CO2/kg palm biochar synthesized at 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C, respectively. This paper paid attention to the inexpensive technology applied in CO2 sequestration, where fluidization provides well mixing of biochar particles with low operation cost.

Defining date palm leaf pruning line in bearing status by tracking physiological markers and expression of senescence-related genes

The physiological and molecular markers were evaluated for defining leaf pruning line in bearing status of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera cv. Mazafati). Our results showed that the higher expression of the chlorophyllase (Chlase) gene was concomitant with lower expression of chlorophyll synthase (ChlG) and oxygen-evolving enhancer protein (PSBO) genes in the 6-year-old leaf line. In addition, the 6-year-old leaf line resulted in a lower Hill reaction rate, chlorophyll a/b ratio, photosystem Ⅱ quantum efficiency, and photosynthesis rate. Also, lower expression and activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) was associated with higher malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation in 6-year-old leaf line. These results suggested that the physiological maturity termination, senescence stage initiation, and source to sink transition could occur in 6-year-old leaves. Furthermore, delayed 5-year-old leaf pruning line adjustment in consecutive years could increase quantitative and qualitative yield loss, decrease water use efficiency, and promote alternate bearing and fruit abscission, which is considered a common problem of date growing areas. Further, the senescence-related markers in the alternate bearing trees pruned in pruning line 5 showed a tendency to normal trees. The five-year-old pruning line also resulted in the balance of bunching and loading the alternate bearing trees.

Molecular Clocks and Archeogenomics of a Late Period Egyptian Date Palm Leaf Reveal Introgression from Wild Relatives and Add Timestamps on the Domestication.

The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, has been a cornerstone of Middle Eastern and North African agriculture for millennia. It was first domesticated in the Persian Gulf, and its evolution appears to have been influenced by gene flow from two wild relatives, P. theophrasti, currently restricted to Crete and Turkey, and P. sylvestris, widespread from Bangladesh to the West Himalayas. Genomes of ancient date palm seeds show that gene flow from P. theophrasti to P. dactylifera may have occurred by ∼2,200 years ago, but traces of P. sylvestris could not be detected. We here integrate archeogenomics of a ∼2,100-year-old P. dactylifera leaf from Saqqara (Egypt), molecular-clock dating, and coalescence approaches with population genomic tests, to probe the hybridization between the date palm and its two closest relatives and provide minimum and maximum timestamps for its reticulated evolution. The Saqqara date palm shares a close genetic affinity with North African date palm populations, and we find clear genomic admixture from both P. theophrasti, and P. sylvestris, indicating that both had contributed to the date palm genome by 2,100 years ago. Molecular-clocks placed the divergence of P. theophrasti from P. dactylifera/P. sylvestris and that of P. dactylifera from P. sylvestris in the Upper Miocene, but strongly supported, conflicting topologies point to older gene flow between P. theophrasti and P. dactylifera, and P. sylvestris and P. dactylifera. Our work highlights the ancient hybrid origin of the date palms, and prompts the investigation of the functional significance of genetic material introgressed from both close relatives, which in turn could prove useful for modern date palm breeding.

Mechanical, Curing Parameters and Water Absorption of Hybrid Date Palm Leaf-Orange Peel Fibers Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

In this study, polymer-hybrid natural fibers composites were prepared using unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) as the matrix and a filler using date palm leaf fiber (DPLF) and orange peel fiber (OPF). The effect of DPLF and OPF on mechanical behavior (tensile strength and elongation at break), moisture absorption, UPR gel time (tgel) and peak exothermic temperature (Tpeak) were determined. The composites of UPR reinforced with DPLF and OPF were processed by hand lay-up technique. The UPR weight fraction was maintained at 90%, and DPLF/OPF proportions varied so that the percentage of natural fiber was 10 wt%. Seven (07) composites were prepared (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7) with different DPLF:OPF ratios (0:0, 1:0, 0.75:0.25, 0.5:0.5, 0.33:0.67, 0.25:0.75, 0:1) respectively in order to screen the possible interactions. DPLF were surface modified using 6% Alkali treatment, OPF were used without surface modification. Unlike DPLF, OPF showed considerable increase of UPR tgel and Tpeak which act as natural inhibitor. Tensile strength and fracture strength were also impacted negatively and positively depending on the different fiber proportions. Absorption tests showed a decrease in the composites hydrophobicity which increases significantly with higher DPLF proportions.

Potential of waste reduction of agro-biomasses through Reishi medicinal mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) production using different substrates and techniques

One of the most important priorities in the medicinal mushrooms cultivation is the selection and preparation of the substrate, which depends on factors such as price and easy access to different lignocellulosic compounds. In order to investigate the effect of mixed and non-mixed agro-waste substrates on some vegetative, reproductive, nutritional and medicinal properties of two Iranian and Chinese strains of Ganoderma lucidum, the factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with three replications. The experimental substrates of different poplar wood chip (PWC), wheat bran (WB), soybean meal (SM), date palm leaf (DPL) and olive oil extraction waste (OOEW) were used. They were enriched with chemical supplements (ammonium nitrate, manganese sulfate and Nano manganese oxide) using two cultivation techniques (open bag door and Polika-Cotton) for fruiting body production.The results showed that various substrates significantly affect dry weight, moisture content quantity, vegetative and fruit yield, total ganoderic acids content, total polysaccharide value and mineral elements amount (nitrogen, potassium and calcium) in fruiting body. The highest amount of N content in the fruiting body of both Iranian and Chinese strains (5.88 and 6.25 mg/100 g dry matter) was dedicated to the combined PWC + SM (70:30) substrate enriched with Nano manganese oxide supplement and Polika-Cotton method. The highest total fresh of Iranian and Chinese strains weight (109.60 and 127.66 g, respectively) obtained in the combined PWC + WB (70:30) substrate enriched with manganese sulfate. The highest amount of total ganoderic acids in fruiting organs in both strains (0.52 and 0.42 μg/mg dry matter) is achieved using a combined PWC + SM (70:30) enriched with manganese sulfate.

Functional involvement of caleosin/peroxygenase PdPXG4 in the accumulation of date palm leaf lipid droplets after exposure to dioxins.

Dioxins are highly injurious environmental pollutants with proven toxicological effects on both animals and humans, but to date their effects on plants still need to be studied in detail. We identified a dioxin-inducible caleosin/peroxygenase isoform, PdPXG4, that is mostly expressed in leaves of date palm seedlings and exhibits a specific reductase activity towards the 13-hydroperoxide of C18:2 and C18:3 (HpODE and HpOTrE, respectively). After exposure to TCDD, lipid droplets (LDs) isolated from TCDD-exposed leaves were about 6.5-15.7-fold more active in metabolizing 13-HpOTrE compared with those isolated from non-exposed leaves. A characteristic spectrum of leaf dioxin-responsive oxylipins (LDROXYL) was detected in dioxin-exposed seedlings. Of particular importance, a group of these oxylipins, referred to as Class I, comprising six congeners of hydroxides fatty acids derived from C18:2 and C18:3, was exclusively found in leaves after exposure to TCDD. The TCDD-induced oxylipin pattern was confirmed invitro using terbufos, a typical inhibitor towards the PdPXG4 peroxygenase activity. Of particular interest, the response of terbufos-pretreated protoplasts to TCDD was drastically reduced. Together, these findings suggest that PdPXG4 is implicated in the establishment of a dioxin-specific oxylipin signature in date palm leaves soon after their exposure to these pollutants.

Draft Genome Sequence of Cumin Blight Pathogen Alternaria burnsii.

The fungal genus Alternaria consists of highly diverse species. They can be isolated readily from soil, water, and many plants, and even from animals and humans. Alternaria burnsii is a small-spored species of section Alternaria. It has been reported as a pathogen, an endophyte, and a saprophyte, and can also be found in indoor air. It causes cumin blight, a destructive disease on cumin (Cuminum cyminum), and also causes other serious diseases, such as pumpkin seed rot, date palm leaf spot, wheat leaf spot, and gray spot of Notopterygium incisum. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the first genome of A. burnsii isolate CBS 107.38. The draft genome can be used as a reference for the further study of related pathogens and comparative genomics of Alternaria species.

The effect of pyrolysis temperature and feedstock on date palm waste derived biochar to remove single and multi-metals in aqueous solutions

In this study, leaf and frond date palm waste as feedstock was used to derive biochars. The effects of pyrolysis temperatures on their physical and chemical properties, and their capacity to remove copper, iron, nickel and zinc from single and multi-metal solutions at various pH values were investigated. Analytical and spectroscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur elemental analysis, Brunauer Emmett Teller analysis were conducted for characterization. The pore volume, surface area, pH, and total carbon content of date palm leaf and frond biochar increased while functional groups and hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen content of biochar decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature compared to feedstock. The removal efficiencies and sorption capacity for single and mixed metal ions were found between 98 and close to 100% and 2.4 and 3.0 mg g− 1 by leaf and frond biochar samples at pH > 6, respectively. Biochar obtained from different feedstock at different pyrolysis temperature did not show any statistically significant improvements on the removal of single or mixed metals from aqueous solutions. The date palm leaf or frond biochar obtained at low pyrolysis temperature is as effective to remove metals as the ones obtained at high pyrolysis temperatures. Therefore, to consume less energy to produce biochar at lower temperature which exhibits same effective removal efficiency will be a win-win solution in terms of sustainability and economy. As a result, date palm waste biochar can be effectively used to remove metals in water and wastewater.

Ductile behaviour and dynamic mechanical analysis of hybrid bio composites

In this investigation, ductile, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of created hybrid kenaf, date palm, and pine apple leaf filaments (PALF) fortified with polyester composites are portrayed unexpectedly. The hybrid mixture samples are manufactured for various fiber loads by hand lay-up strategy. Four distinctive weight syntheses and one alkali-treated sample were used to examine the above attributes. The dynamic mechanical examination of mixtures in the term of storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E“) and damping boundary (Tan δ) in a hotness scope of 30 °C to 150 °C is researched. The hybrid composite with 40% of kenaf, 40% of date palm and 20% of PALF uncover the maximum estimation of E' and E”. These outcomes achieved affirmed the practicality of the mix between normal strands and framework, hence opening new perspectives for the utilization of these regular side effects.