EFFECT OF POLLEN GRAIN SOURCE ON PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF FOUR DATE CULTIVARS GROWN IN LIBYA

This study was carried out during the seasons of 2008 and 2009, on date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.) grown in Wadi Etba (Tasawah). Female trees of four local cultivars were chosen viz., ‘Tasfert’, ‘Talees’, ‘Adawy’ and ‘Simblbl’ to be fertilized with three different males referred to as (A, B and C). The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of pollen source on physical and chemical properties as well as the crop of tested cultivars. Percentage of pollen viability was high for male B, medium for male C and low for male A. Male B had the highest value of pollen grain germination percentage followed by male A and male C, pollen source had no effect on fruit set percentage. Fruit-weights, lengths and diameters as well as seed weight of percentage of flesh to stone varied according to cultivars and development stage. The effect of source of pollen was either significant or highly significant on all traits at all development stages. Non-reducing sugars increased when pollen of male A or C was used, however, reducing or total sugars increased by using pollen of male A or B. Tannins content decreased by using pollen of male A or B.