Effect of Fruit Thinning Methods on Physical Properties and Yield Qualities of Barhi date Palm in Ripening Stage

Abstract

This investigation was carried out during the two consecutive seasons, 2023 and 2024 respectively on date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Barhi grown in a private orchard at Belbis region, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt to evaluate the impact of thinning applications by bunches number and thinning levels using exclusive tools on the yield and fruit quality. In a sandy soil and irrigated with drip irrigation system. Date Palm trees were 10-year-old, planted at 8*8m space. Forty five date palm trees (fifteen treatments with three replicates for each treatment) were selected in both studied seasons. Moreover, the trees were uniform and healthy in vigor and size. The same horticultural practices were applied to all experimental palms .All thinning treatments were at Hababouk stage about forty five days after fruit set.

Thinning methods practical are the most important horticulture parts in date palm trees beginning in Hababouk stage till the ripe fruits. In Barhi cv. experiments were carried out by using tools in this respect as pincers and comb in newly parts as well as the normal methods. Generally methods of thinning increasing markedly in bunch weight per palm especially in 8 bunches/palm treatment and least weight of bunch in 12 one per palm. The more effect of thinning was used by pincers increasing fruit weight significantly as compared to control treatment in least weight of fruits. Also comb thinning treatments came after in pincers ones. Fruits pulp weight increased with used of fruits thinning treatments by pincers and comb practical methods especially in 8 bunches/palm markedly. The interaction was more effects in this respect in fruit weight and pulp weight in loading 8 bunch/palm, in fruit volume was increasing significantly in comb treatments followed by pincers treatment and least in this respect was in control experiments in both seasons of study. While, seed weight didn’t markedly effects in this respect of thinning methods in the two seasons respectively. The total yield of palm trees was increased in control treatment as compared to other thinning treatment in comb and pincers in the case of loading 8, 10, and 12 bunches/ palm tree.

Conclusively:  from this results of research, improving of fruits physical properties as fruit weight and volume by thinning methods especially pincers and comb tools in Barhi date palm.