Palm Inflorescences Research Articles

Improving Fruit Set, Yield and Fruit Quality of Barhee Date Palms Using Some Natural Plant Extracts

This experiment was conducted during two successive seasons (2020 and 2021). The aim of this research is to study the effect of spraying Barhee date palm with some natural plant extracts on fruit set, yield and fruit physical and chemical properties. Inflorescences were sprayed with moringa and garlic extracts at 2 or 4% for both, three times (one hour before pollination, one month after pollination and two months after pollination). The obtained results indicated that spraying date palm inflorescences with moringa and garlic extracts produced higher initial fruit set as compared with the untreated ones in the two seasons. While all tested treatments improved fruit physical characteristics such as fruit weight, flesh weight, fruit length and diameter compared to the control treatment in the two studied seasons; moringa extract recorded the heaviest bunches and yield/palm in both seasons. In addition, the results showed that moringa extract at 4% increased total soluble solids%, total sugars%, reducing and non-reducing sugars% in both seasons compared to the control. Meanwhile, the lowest fruit set, bunch weight, yield/palm and fruit physical and chemical properties were recorded due to the control in both seasons. Also, all treatments reduced significantly total acidity% in both seasons. In addition, spraying moringa extract at 4% improved leaf mineral content (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and gave the highest values followed by moringa extract at 2%, then garlic extract at 4% and 2%, respectively in both seasons.

Integrated soil fertility management using cocoa bean shells improves soil chemical properties, coconut yield and mitigates environmental pollution

One approach to sustain and intensify coconut production is nutrient cycling through an integrated soil fertility management strategy. This strategy may include transferring crop by-products from one farm commodity to another. One such promising by-products identified is cocoa bean shells (CBS), which is in abundance and could serve as an environmental pollutant at Bamiankor, which is a forest zone and an important area for coconut and cocoa productions, located in the Western region of Ghana. Following this, a 42-month integrated soil fertility management field study was conducted to assess improvements in selected soil chemical properties, coupled with vegetative, and reproductive parameters in a Sri Lankan Green Dwarf (SGD) coconut genotype under various fertilizer treatments. The treatments included: no-fertilizer control (CK), nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer, cocoa bean shells (CBS), and NPK+CBS, which were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RBCD) in three replications. There were appreciable increases in values of soil pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP). Values in carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio after treatment with CBS, however, were significantly reduced. It was observed that collar girth from palms treated with NPK+CBS were significantly higher compared to other treatments. Similarly, number of leaves, percentage of palm inflorescence, and number of nut-load palm−1 year−1 were all significantly higher under NPK+CBS treated palms compared to the other treatments. In conclusion, CBS in combination with NPK fertilizer is recommended as a good strategy to intensify coconut production. However, for a long-term benefit, circularity, cleaner, and sustainable production, addition of sole CBS is advocated. Adoption of this management strategy will also potentially mitigate the negative environmental consequences associated with accumulation of CBS in studied area.

Biocontrol potential of inflorescence rot of date palm caused by <i>Mauginiella scaettae</i> in the Biskra region (Algeria)

Date palm inflorescence rot (known as Khamedj disease) caused by Mauginiella scaettae is a serious problem in most date palm-growing areas of the world, and it causes considerable yield loss. The extensive use of fungicides has resulted in the emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogens, and concerns have been raised over the residual effects on the environment and human health. In this regard, biocontrol agents have been proposed as an alternative to standard fungicides. The aim of our study was to evaluate the biocontrol agent Aspergillus niger against the pathogen M. scaettae. In vitro confrontation tests between M. scaettae and A. niger showed that, after 10 days of incubation, the Petri dish was almost completely covered by the antagonist A. niger, while the pathogen M. scaettae occupied only 0.61±0.015 cm of diameter, which corresponds to a considerable inhibition of the mycelial growth (85.33%). Microscopic observations showed an abundant sporulation of A. niger around the colony of M. scaettae and marked a very important mycoparasitic power. In conclusion, the use of biological control agents is cost-effective, easy to use, and environmentally friendly for the control of Khamedj disease.

Valorization of agricultural waste to polybenzoxazine-carbon composites: Studies on microstructure, thermal and dielectric properties

Agricultural waste valorization has become a necessity to reduce global warming. In this context, absolute bio-waste derived cardanol, furfurylamine (ffa), and benzaldehyde were utilized for the synthesis of a novel card-bisphenol (BBC) and its benzoxazine (BBC-ffa) resin. Further, the reinforcement of carbon building blocks derived from three different sustainable resources, viz. Anacardium occidentale, Borassus flabellifer, and Tamarindus indica and named cashew apple carbon (CC), palmyra palm inflorescence (spadix) carbon (PC), and tamarind seed carbon (TC), respectively. The derived carbons were reinforced (1–20 wt%) separately with BBC-ffa polymer matrix [poly(BBC-ffa)] for the engineering of carbon integrated polybenzoxazine composites [poly(BBC-ffa)–CC/PC/TC] to achieve high-k dielectrics. Because the carbon with different functionalities intrinsically exhibit higher polarization and lower specific surface area. Dielectric constant (k) of the polybenzoxazine matrix (k = 4.62) has been increased to 8.58, 9.43, 10.60 for the reinforcement of 20 wt% of each CC, PC, and TC polybenzoxazine composites, respectively and the value of dielectric loss was also significantly decreased for the same. The dissemination of reinforced carbon particles in the polybenzoxazine matrix was ascertained through the surface analysis of the composites by FE-SEM. Based on the results of TGA, the carbon reinforced composites showed slightly lower thermal stability and about two-fold higher char yield than that of neat polybenzoxazine. Hydrophobicity of the composites enhanced with increasing the carbon content. The resulting sustainable polybenzoxazine-carbon composites could be effectively utilized as a gate dielectric in microelectronics.

From seed dispersal service to reproductive collapse: density‐dependent outcome of a palm–mammal interaction

Interspecific ecological interactions are inherently context‐dependent. They may vary in both magnitude and sign depending on the biotic and abiotic conditions, depicting a mutualism–antagonism continuum. However, how population abundances and the activity of interacting species modulate these interactions remains underexplored. Here, we chose the interaction between the Mediterranean palm Chamaerops humilis and the feral goat Capra hircus in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). We selected three study plots with low, intermediate and high intensities of goat activity where we characterized palm distribution, seed rain, seed predation and early palm recruitment during two consecutive years. Since goats can cause both costs (e.g. florivory) and benefits (e.g. seed dispersal) to C. humilis performance, we investigated the following three questions: 1) does the spatial distribution of adult palms vary depending on the intensity of goat activity? 2) Does the intensity of goat activity influence seed rain and its potential spatial association with adult palms? 3) To what extent does the intensity of goat activity determine post‐dispersal events such as seed predation and seedling emergence? We found that adult palms showed a more clumped and complex distribution (double‐cluster process) in plots with low and intermediate goat activity compared to that with high goat activity (simple‐cluster process). In the low goat activity plot, dispersed seeds were spatially aggregated around adult palms, showing twice as much insect‐seed predation and nearly three times lower seed germination success than those in the intermediate goat activity plot. Palm seed dispersal and recruitment were almost nil in the high goat activity plot due to heavy consumption of palm inflorescences and developing fruits by goats. Our findings demonstrate how the net outcome of plant–animal interactions can change from mutualism to antagonism, from reproductive service to reproductive collapse, depending on the abundance and the activity of the interacting species.

Forest conservation maximises açaí palm pollination services and yield in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract Agricultural expansion is one of the main drivers of global pollinator loss. Paradoxically, this occurs while agriculture is becoming increasingly dependent on biotic pollination, raising concerns about food production. Integrated Crop Pollination (ICP), the use of both wild and managed pollinators in crop fields, can help conserve pollinator diversity while ensuring effective pollination services for growers. However, given the context‐dependent nature of this approach, there is an urgent need to evaluate its application across different landscapes and crops. We apply the ICP approach to açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) production in the eastern Brazilian Amazon to explore effects of a native stingless bee, Scaptotrigona aff. postica (Apidae: Meliponini), and landscape‐level forest conservation on yield and socioeconomic outcomes for açaí fruit growers. We assessed flower visitor assemblages and fruit production on 18 plantations across a landscape forest cover gradient, with bee colonies introduced on nine plantations. Field data were combined with information from semistructured interviews of growers to estimate yield and profit per hectare under different pollinator management scenarios. Bee colonies and forest cover enhanced flower visitor abundance on palm inflorescences, but abundance increases attributed to managed bees were associated with shifts in flower visitor evenness and diversity (species richness), due to reduced visitation of wild bees near managed colonies. Fruit production on inflorescences was positively related to bee abundance and bee diversity. Consequently, overall pollination performance was lower in plantations with bee colonies. This was repeated at the hectare scale, where yield and profit were associated with surrounding forest cover and not bee colonies. Synthesis and applications. Managed bees can increase pollinator densities and fruit production, but the increased environmental and socioeconomic risks associated with this activity means açaí growers should prioritise forest conservation to safeguard pollination services and improve overall sustainability of açaí production in the eastern Brazilian Amazon.

Comparative study of maceration and steam distilation extraction methods of volatile organic compounds composition from female oil palm inflorescences

Secondary metabolites of oil palm have various potentials. Research on the secondary metabolite of oil palms inflorescences very limited. The purpose of this research is to compare the extraction method between maceration and steam distillation of oil palm female inflorescence’s volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The maceration used ethanolic for 5 × 24 hours, then concentrated with a rotary evaporator. Steam distillation was carried out at a temperature of >80 °C for 4 hours. The extraction results were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mas Spectrometry (GC-MS). VOCs found from maceration are less than steam distillation, with a 1:12 ratio. Estragole compound was found in both methods. However, steam distillation possesses more content.

Phylogenetic and pathogenic characterization of Mauginiella scaettae as the causal agent of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) inflorescence rot in southeast of Algeria

Inflorescence rot is a devastating disease of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) but has not been extensively characterised. Mauginiella scaettae Cav. 1925 (Pleosporales; Ascomycota), causal agent of this disease, was isolated from infected male and female inflorescences of date palm from different oases in the southeast of Algeria: Ouargla (strains OU1, OU2, OU3), Tougourt (strains TO1, TO2), Hadjira (strain HA), Oued (strains OE1, OE2), Ghardaia (strain GA) and Biskra (strain BI). Each strain of M. scaettae was used to infect healthy male inflorescence of date palms to satisfy Koch's postulates but follow on assessments were based on GA. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the rRNA sequence data (ITS and LSU regions) found no intraspecific differentiation of strains and confirmed the placement of M. scaettae within the family Phaeosphaeriaceae. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) metabolite fingerprinting discriminated between fungal strains originating from male and female inflorescences. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterisation of the infection processes for M. scaettae in both male and female inflorescences suggested a preference for stomatal entry. Our characterisation provides new insights into this inflorescence rot to allow better detection and management of the disease.

Deciphering environmental conditions and agronomic factors underpinning the development of date palm inflorescence rot under Moroccan conditions: A survey study

Deciphering environmental conditions and agronomic factors underpinning the development of date palm inflorescence rot under Moroccan conditions: A survey study

Phylogenetic classification and palm-inflorescence anthophily of the Colocasiomyia zeylanica species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae), with descriptions of five new species.

The zeylanica group is one of the six species groups of the anthophilic genus Colocasiomyia de Meijere in the family Drosophilidae. In addition to two known species, five morphospecies have been recognized as members of this species group but left undescribed formally. In this study, species delimitation of these putatively new species was determined by barcoding of the mitochondrial COI (cytochrome c oxydase subunit I) gene and morphological comparison. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Colocasiomyia were inferred by a cladistic analysis of 89 morphological characters. Based on the results of these analyses, we redefined the zeylanica species group and established two subgroups within it: the zeylanica subgroup comprised of C. zeylanica, C. nepalensis, C. pinangae sp. nov., C. besaris sp. nov. and C. luciphila sp. nov., and the oligochaeta subgroup of C. oligochaeta sp. nov. and C. grimaldii sp. nov. In addition, we briefly address the anthophilic habits of drosophilid flies using palm (Arecaceae) inflorescences, especially of the zeylanica group, compiling scattered collection records from the Oriental and Papuan regions.

Fine‐scale temporal dynamics of flower visitors sheds light on insect‐assemblage overlap between sexes in a dioecious Ecuadorian palm

AbstractDioecious plants generally display sexual dimorphism in male and female floral traits, potentially attracting slightly different pollinator communities. The sharing of common floral visitors between male and female flowers and their timing of visits to both sexes is of critical importance to ensure plant's reproductive success. Palm inflorescences are visited by abundant and diverse insect communities, yet the temporal patterns of insect visits on both sexes remain poorly known. We characterized the composition of a community of flower‐visiting arthropods associated with the dioecious ivory palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis, Spruce) in a pre‐montane forest of Ecuador. We monitored the temporal variations in insect visits along the flowering of 12 inflorescences (eight female and four male) using interception traps recovered every 4 h. We report 59 morphospecies in the arthropod community, dominated by three beetle families: Staphylinidae, Nitidulidae, and Curculionidae. Male inflorescences were more abundantly visited than female, but visitors of the later were taxonomically more diverse. Among the 16 pollinator candidates identified, nine visited both inflorescence sexes synchronously at dusk /night whereas the others did so asynchronously during the day. Our study provides new insights into the pollination mechanism ofP. aequatorialis.We found evidence of differential pollinator attraction between floral sexes, which may be explained by the sexual dimorphism of both flowers. Synchronicity in dusk/night visits of both inflorescence sexes suggests a sexual synchronization of the signal used to attract pollinators.Abstract in Spainsh is available with online material

Adjacent forest moderates insect pollination of oil palm

Natural habitat plays a role in many agroecosystems as a source of pollination services and other ecological spillover, but these effects are largely unquantified in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), a globally important crop linked to deforestation. In a field experiment in Sumatra, Indonesia, we manipulated floral visitor access to female oil palm inflorescences over a 100 m distance gradient from forest into oil palm and sampled insects with sticky traps placed above male and female inflorescences. Full exclusion of floral visitors decreased mean oil palm fruit set to 12%, demonstrating that insect pollination was necessary to maintain favorable fruit set and yield. Treatment group means of fruit set under open pollination (62%) and when excluding large (>1.4 mm diameter) organisms (72%), did not differ significantly from open pollination augmented with hand pollination (61%), suggesting no difference in pollen limitation. In contrast, when we examined change in fruit set with distance from forest, we found a significant trend of higher fruit set in oil palms closer to the forest when large organisms were excluded, which increased estimated fruit set at the forest edge to 87%, compared to open-pollinated palms (70%). This trend with distance from forest was absent when we fully excluded floral visitors, showing that the effect of forest was not likely due to an abiotic gradient (e.g., changing soil nutrients). Of the arthropod taxa collected from sticky traps, Drosophilidae (Diptera) and Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera) decreased and increased with distance from forest, respectively. The taxa Elaeidobius kamerunicus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Gelechiidae, and the families Thripidae and Phlaeothripidae (Thysanoptera) were abundant on both male and female inflorescence sticky traps. Elaeidobius kamerunicus, an introduced oil palm pollinator, had the only significant relationship with fruit set. Our results confirm pollination by insects as a key ecosystem service for oil palm production. Although further work is needed to clarify the relationship between fruit set, biodiversity, and distance from forest, we speculate that excluding large organisms could have increased fruit set closer to forest by mediating interactions between pollinators, forest predators, and farm mesopredators. Understanding the relationships between nearby forest and pollination services could better connect oil palm production to its landscape context and associated biodiversity. This would be important for landscape-scale conservation planning that considers both the ecosystem service needs and ecological impacts of oil palm agriculture.

Impact of insect pests of female oil palm inflorescences on the quality of palm bunches and palm oil

Oil palm is a major cash crop for many countries. In fact, Côte d'Ivoire is the second largest African producer after Nigeria and the first African exporter. Despite this performance, the cultivation of this plant is limited by a variety of pests that strongly affect its production. These include leafminer Coelaenomenodera lameensis, defoliating caterpillars (Latoia spp), pests of the stipe of young palms (Oryctes monoceros), etc. and pests of female oil plam inflorescences. The latter destroys female inflorescences, which leads to malformation of many fruits, negatively impacting on the production of bunches. The objective of this work was to study the impact of female inflorescence pests on the quality of bunches and palm oil. The study was conducted at the CNRA research station in La Mé. The mosquito net placed on isolated female inflorescences allowed the capture and the identification of three main insect pests of female inflorescences of oil palm. These are the Curculionidae beetles Prosoestus minor and Prosoestus sculptilis and the Pyralidae lepidopteran Elaeidiphylos adustalis. These insects cause significant damage in palm groves, ranging from 60% to 70.98% of seeds damaged. Indeed, the large number of fruits damaged by these insects does not affect the quality of the oil produced because the acidity and fluidity of the oil remain within the quality standards. However, further biochemical studies are needed to elucidate real impact of these insects on the quality of the palm oil such such as fatty acid composition, β-carotene and vitamin E.

In-vitro RESPONSE OF DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES AGAINST Mauginiella scaettae CAUSING DATE PALM INFLORESCENCE ROT IN TAFILALET OASIS IN MOROCCO

The inflorescence rot is a very dangerous cryptogamic disease that is prevalent in all phoeniculture regions and causes heavy economic losses. The identification and characterization of the causal agent is a key step to tackling this disease, and such studies are very scanty in Morocco. This work was carried out in Darâa Tafilalet region South-East Morocco during 2020-2021 to isolate and identify the fungi that cause inflorescence rot on date palm and to try to combat the disease with various fungicides. We collected 48 infected samples from different varieties of date palm. The isolation results revealed that Mauginiella scaettae is the primary causal agent of date palm inflorescence rot at all sites investigated. In terms of in vitro experiments, we examined seven fungicides (difenoconazole, boscalid-pyraclostrobin combination, thiophanate-methyl, copper oxychloride, tribasic copper sulfate, copper sulfate, and wettable sulfur) based on their antifungal activity against the causal agent, M. scaettae. Data on the effects of these fungicides on pathogen mycelial growth, spore germination, and sporulation show that difenoconazole, the combination Boscalid-Pyraclostrobin, and Thiophanate-methyl totally controlled M. scaettae at only 25% of the recommended dose, whereas Copper Oxychloride, Tribasic Copper Sulfate, and Copper Sulfate had a significant inhibitory effect on all three stages. Wettable sulfur was the least effective.

Frond Base Fracture and Dynamics of Palm Oil Inflorescence Applied With Different Nutrient Sources

Frond base fracture is an increasingly common phenomenon in oil palm plantations caused by various stress factors. This study aimed to determine the incidence of frond base fracture in the plantation where different nutrient sources were applied (palm oil mill effluent, oil palm EFB, and organic fertilizers) in relation to the dynamics of oil palm inflorescence. The incidence of frond base fracture and the production of male and female inflorescences were observed in 30 sample trees for each nutrient source. Observations were made three times with an interval monthly. To reveal the research objectives, it used descriptive analysis. The results showed that the routine application of POME increased the susceptibility of oil palms to fractured fronds and the sex ratio was higher other than that of EFB; the lowest incidence was found in the palm that was given inorganic fertilizers. frond base fracture trees produced fewer female inflorescence, although the number of male ones did not differ between frond base fracture palm and healthy ones.

The origin of an extreme case of sister‐species sympatry in a palm‐pollinator mutualistic system

AbstractAimMutualistic systems involving plants and brood pollinators show intriguing cases where a single plant is pollinated by several closely related sympatric species. This study aims at identifying the mechanisms involved in such an extreme case, where 10 sympatric weevil species are only associated with African oil palm inflorescences. We assessed the patterns and timing of speciation of this peculiar assemblage to explore the main drivers of its diversification.LocationTropical Africa.TaxonThe African oil palm Elaeis guineensis Jacquin (Arecaceae, Cocoseae), weevil genera Elaeidobius Kuschel and Prosoestus Faust (Curculionidae, Derelomini).MethodsWe first reassessed the status of the weevil species assemblage associated with the African oil palm based on a range of molecular species delimitation analyses. Second, we reconstructed a dated molecular phylogeny using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood and carried out historical biogeographical analyses accounting for the main biogeographical barriers in tropical Africa.ResultsOur analyses generally confirm the validity of the species associated with the African oil palm and indicate that they form a monophyletic group. Dating analyses indicate that they originated about 7–8 million years ago (Mya) and that most speciation events occurred during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Historical biogeography analyses reveal that one geographical barrier played a bigger role during their diversification. Age estimates suggest that extant weevil species remained in sympatry along the range of their host during the last 0.2 Mya.Main conclusionsThis case represents a remarkable example of a speciose mutualistic monophyletic insect assemblage. Our results indicate that past climatic oscillations in Western and Central Africa – where cycles of range contractions and expansions of the host drove the divergence of the weevils in allopatry – and the predominant role of a mountain range were instrumental in the emergence of the sympatric assemblage.

Antifungal Activity of Silver Nanoparticles with the Potential to Control Fungal Contamination in the Male Inflorescences of Palmyra Palm

Fungal contamination of the male inflorescences of palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer Linn.) is a serious problem during their storage prior being used as the raw material for making the local One-Tambon-One-Product, a cloth holder known as “Nguang Taan Hom” made by the Phutaan Entrepreneurship, Takua Thung District PhangNga Province, Thailand. Morphological and molecular techniques were used to identify the isolated fungi from male palmyra palm inflorescences. Three major strains: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus sclerotiorum were studied for antifungal activities and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was found to range from 13.5–27 mg mL–1. Then, the efficiency of the AgNPs and silver nanoparticles stabilizing by Polyvinylpyrrolidone (AgNPs-PVP) on the male palmyra palm inflorescences was studied by constructing a chamber model over a period for 9 weeks. The results showed that the group inoculated with Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus sclerotiorum spores developed fungal growth after 4 weeks whereas no fungal growth was observed in the group treated with AgNPs and AgNPs-PVP at 27 μg/ mL until week 7, indicating that dipping with either AgNPs or AgNPs-PVP is able to inhibit the growth of the fungi which cause damage to raw materials and also threaten human health. Therefore, it can effectively extend the storage time of male palmyra inflorescences.

Oil Palm Inflorescence Sex Ratio and Fruit Set Assessment in dura × pisifera Biparental Progenies on Fibric Peat Soil

This study investigated oil palm inflorescence sex ratio (ISR) and fruit set (FS) yield among 24 dura × pisifera biparental progenies on fibric peat soil, hybridized from ten genetic origins. Three-month intervals of data collection on ISR and “S-shape” procedure for FS determination were carried out in an independent complete randomized design for one year. Based on the assessment of individual progenies, analysis of variance revealed the existence of genetic heterogeneity. Five of the progenies had the highest ISR above 90%. However, 20.83% of the progenies (PK4841, PK4674, ECPHP415, ECPHP550, and PK4118) had the best normal range of ISR, indicating FS declined being influenced by ISR. Therefore, only 12.50% of the progenies (PK4674, PK4465, and PK4482) were above 60% FS critical level. Correlation analysis verified that ISR depends on the female flower and progeny PK4674 (65.78%) and PK4465 (62.62%) had the best FS and fruit to bunch. Among the parental origins, Deli Serdang × Cameroon was statistically the best for male flower production at 29.40% and ISR at 72.22%. The highest FS was recorded in Deli Banting × AVROS (54.00%) and Angola × AVROS (53.78%). However, molecular research, such as microsatellite molecular markers if concurrently used as a selection criterion with the present conventional study, could present further details to complement the present findings.

Pollination of <i>Nypa fruticans</i> (Wurmb.) in a South Florida botanic garden

When plants are removed from their native habitat, reproduction can be compromised if pollinators are absent, especially when plant-pollinator interactions are species-specific and the plant is self-incompatible. To avoid these pitfalls, botanic gardens often use hand pollination to ensure reproductive success of their living collections, an important aspect of ex-situ conservation. The nipa palm, Nypa fruticans, presents an interesting case study of pollination in a botanic garden and a plant’s ability to successfully reproduce outside its native range without assisted pollination. Nypa fruticans has been growing at Montgomery Botanical Center (MBC) in South Florida since 1984, but for years required hand pollination to produce viable fruit. A recent shift from hand pollination to unassisted pollination suggests that this palm has found an alternative to fertilize its flowers. We investigate possible pollinators and new opportunities for pollination outside the palm’s native range. Rather than the insects typically associated with N. fruticans pollination in its native range in Southeast Asia (i.e., flies and beetles), ants, specifically Paratrechina longicornis, were overwhelmingly the most abundant visitors to nipa palm inflorescences at MBC and likely represent an important pollinator or facilitator of pollination at the garden. Pollination research at botanic gardens complements in-situ field studies and provides important insights into the flexibility of pollination systems to achieve reproductive success outside a plant’s native range.

Effect of Spraying Algae Extract and Potassium Nitrate on the Yield and Fruit Quality of Barhee Date Palms

The effect of foliar spray with algae extract and/or potassium nitrate on the quantity and quality of Barhee date palm yields was investigated during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Inflorescences of Barhee date palms were sprayed twice, after pollination (1st April of each season) and one month later, with algae extract at concentrations of 0.5% and 1.0% and with potassium nitrate at concentrations of 1% and 2% applied individually or in combinations. The obtained results showed that all of the sprayed treatments enhanced the yield and fruit properties when compared to the controls. Spraying inflorescences of Barhee date palms with algae extract and/or potassium nitrate had a significant effect on the yield and on the physical and chemical properties of the fruit when compared with the untreated palms. The increase in yield and qualitative properties was associated with increasing concentrations of both materials (algae extract and potassium nitrate). The best results were detected with spray containing high rates of combined treatment (1% algae extract + 2% potassium nitrate) applied twice in both seasons studied because this treatment resulted in the highest value of fruit and bunch weight, increased the yield per palm compared to the control by about 60.2%, and improved the fruit physical properties (fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit shape index, flesh weight, and seed weight) and fruit chemical properties (total soluble solids (TSS); acidity; TSS/acid ratio; tannins; and reducing, nonreducing, and total sugars) of the Barhee date palm given the experimental conditions.