Offshoot preparation in Date palm: Methods, maintenance and care

Abstract

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest cultivated fruit crops in the world and belongs to the family Arecaceae. It is believed to be originated in Mesopotamia (Current-day Iraq) during 4000 BC. From its origin, the cultivation has spread and has become a major crop in Arabian Peninsula, North Africa and the Middle Eastern countries. In India, date palm cultivation is believed to be 450-500 years old with the major cultivation concentrated in Kachchh district of Gujarat accounting for more than 85% of India’s total area and cultivation. The crop is dioecious, monocotyledon plants and can grow in very hot and dry climate. It can relatively tolerate saline and alkaline soils. Being a dioecious crop, high heterozygosity is observed in its population and to maintain its quality characters, they are asexually propagated through offshoots. Since, one palm produces only 10-20 offshoots in initial duration of 10-15 years; mass production of the planting material becomes very difficult and thus needs special care.