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FRUIT CHARACTERIZATION OF PAKISTANI DATES

GHULAM SARWAR MARKHAND^1*, ADEL A. ABUL-SOAD², AMEER AHMED MIRBAHAR^1,3 AND NISAR AHMED KANHAR⁴

Abstract: Fruit of 85 varieties of Pakistani dates were collected throughout the harvest season. Appropriate Performa was designed to write the scientific and commonly used properties. These properties included fruit color at Khalal stage, shape, size (length & diameter), color & height of perianth, fruit group (soft, semi-dry, dry), edible stage and the micropyle position and split (wide, narrow, deep). Furthermore, pictures of the whole fruit, longitudinal and transverse sections and dorsal & ventral sides of seed have been taken. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of different Pakistani dates. Aseel variety is considered as one of the predominant and commercial varieties in Pakistan. It is elliptical in shape like most of the Pakistani dates. A few of the evaluated varieties have good properties. The majority of Pakistani dates fall in the semi-dry group. Most of the varieties, if not all are sensitive to monsoon rains, which synchronizes with ripening/harvest season. The harvest season of dates in Khairpur, Pakistan starts from the end of June until the mid of August. Urgent and rapid demand is being required for the high quality varieties. Whether, this demand can be achieved by means of micropropagation of offshoots of these evaluated and selectable varieties by the tissue culture or to import offshoots of best quality dates from abroad for propagation needs.