Author: Imtiaz Hussain, Saeed Ahmad, Muhammad Amjad and Rashid Ahmed
Publishing Date: 2016
E-ISSN: 1011-601X
Volume: 29 Issue: 4
ABSTRACT:
Date fruit is a rich and quick source of phytochemicals and sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) which playing a vital role to nourish the human beings worldwide. The present study therefore, was conducted to explore the role of strands thinning on phytochemicals and sugars profiling in date palm (Cvs. Hillawi and Khadrawi). The experiment was comprised of different strand thinning treatments viz. @ 20% RCS (removal of central strands), 30% RCS, 20% STT (shortening of terminal tips), 30% STT, 20% RCS + 20% STT and 30% RCS+30% STT) including control. The results obtained from the current study showed that strand thinning significantly improves the level of phytochemicals and sugars in date fruit harvested at rutab stage as compared to un-thinned fruit clusters. Higher level of phytochemicals and sugars were found in fruit clusters thinned @ 30% RCS alone and in combination of 30% RCS+30%STT than other fruit thinning intensities. In conclusion; Strand thinning should be employed as an imperative managerial approach to improve the nutritional and phytochemical value of date palm fruit and to fulfill the quick energy requirement of the human body.
KEYWORDS: Strands thinning, date palm, phytochemicals, sugars, Hillawi, Khadrawi