Vulnerability of Date Palm cv. Dhakki to Climate Change and Viable Options for Adaptation
Vulnerability of Date Palm cv. Dhakki to Climate Change and Viable Options for Adaptation
Muhammad Mansoor1, Shahid Hameed Khan Khalil2*, Zafar Islam2, Muhammad Asif2, Ghani Akbar2, Muhammad Ashraf Khan3 and Ibadullah Jan4
ABSTRACT
Even though date palm is a thermopile species and can withstand large temperature fluctuations, yet recent climate changes especially prolonged monsoon patterns, starting earlier (end of June) and lasting till September with sporadic changes, has posed multiple threats for Dhakki dates causing spoilage of fruits at early ripening stage, hindering ripening and drying processes at the end. Growers are adapting some alternate options of making ‘Chuhara’ (dried dates) at Khalal stage instead of processed Rutab dates. Experiments were conducted to find out comparative yield potentials of ‘Chuhara’ as well as processed dates produced from the fruits collected from trees protected from rain-fall. The results show that BCR for fresh dates was 2.85, while, it was 1.06 for dry dates. It is depicted that fresh dates give double economic return as compared to dry dates. It was observed that 1Kg Khalal fruits yields ½ Kg dry dates whereas the same quantity of Rutab fruits on ripening and drying yields ¾ Kg of fresh dates. General evaluation of bunches bagging treatments on fruiting traits was conducted. It was concluded that bunches covered with blue paper bags obtained highest score among all the traits and is recommended to achieve best results under current climate change scenario. Generally, fruit covering shields the fruit from adverse effects of monsoon rains, birds, pests and dust.
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