Download - Libyan Dates Al Jufrah Best Practices
Improvement and Development of Date Palm
in the oasis of Al Jufrah
DATE PALM CULTIVATION IN AL JUFRAH OASIS
Best Practices
Edited by
Bashir Gshera, Massimo Battaglia,
Sergio Mugnai, Carlo Bergesio
The Project
This publication has been produced as part of the
Miglioramento e valorizzazione della palma da dattero nelle
Oasi di Al Jufrah in Libia program for improving and
promoting date palms in the oases of Al Jufrah in Libya,
funded by the Directorate General for Development
Cooperation of the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and
coordinated by the Istituto Agronomico per l'Oltremare
(IAO) in Florence in collaboration with the Libyan Board of
Improving and Developing Olive and Palm Trees.
The project’s origins lie in the commitments made between Italy and Libya to strengthen and
develop relationships between the two countries. The central government and local authorities
in Libya share an interest in improving agricultural, forestry and pastoral systems. As part of the
effort to support the agricultural improvement of land cleared of Second World War surplus, the
Italian government has begun providing assistance and collaboration in the agro-zootechnical
and environmental sector.
In Al Jufrah, activities agreed on by the two countries began in May 2009. They are aimed at
encouraging local economic development through coordinated actions to support producers of
quality dates, whether individuals or associations. The strategy is led by two guiding principles:
identifying and guaranteeing quality dates through production protocols that will ensure the
consistency and quality of the final product; and protecting the agrobiodiversity of Al Jufrah by
promoting the local palm varieties and strengthening traditional oasis-management systems.
The initiative involves all the actors in the date production chain, reinforcing associations and
relationships between producers, processors and traders; encouraging the protection of the
environment and raising awareness about quality dates among consumers. This last objective
will draw on experiences in Italy promoting typical local products using the Protected
Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) systems, closely linking
a product and its place of origin.
The aims of the Italo-Libyan technical and
scientific collaboration are to increase the
quantity and quality of date production
through the selection and genetic
improvement of local varieties; to introduce
cultivation systems able to optimize the use
of water and energy resources and reduce
negative external effects; and to improve
processing systems and marketing
domestically and abroad.
OFFSHOOT PROPAGATION
selection, removal and planting
Best weight and size of the offshoot: 10 - 15 Kg. Base diameter
of the offshoot must be at least 20-25 cm and no more than 35 cm
when removed from the mother plant.
Removal: after 4-5
years from planting,
depending on the
variety, when the
tips of the 2nd leaf
from the bottom of
the offshoots start
to dry up and open.
Best period for the
removal: from
March to April (also, from mid-August to mid-
September) in the morning. Offshoot planting on ground must be performed during the same
day in the afternoon or, at the latest, the day after.
Offshoot cleaning: remove the external leaves. Maintain at least five inner leaves by cutting
them in half over the leaflet. Then tie together the leaves with the rachis of a leaf.
Put attention on:
Use of root promoting hormones is advisable
The operator for cutting must be qualified and effective in terms of n° of cut
offshoot/hour, avoiding any symptoms of damage. He must possess suitable tools for
cutting.
Usually the best moment to collect offshoots is when the fruit starts to change its colour
to yellow.
1 m
1 m
1 m
ESTABLISHMENT OF A DATE PALM PLANTATION
land preparation and planting operations
Plant spacing: 6x6 or 8x8 m. First, locate the
places for holes on ground (good on sandy soil).
Do not place the palms closer than 6 m from each
other.
1st irrigation: lay down on ground the irrigation
tubes and irrigate the places for holes for one
month before digging in order to facilitate this
operation.
Hole digging: remove the tubes used for the 1st
irrigation and dig 1x1x1 m holes. In Waddan and
Hun take care to accurately break the hard and
calcareous underground layer.
Planting: place the offshoot in the hole
(leaves must stay off the ground to avoid any
leak of water inside the leaves, causing the
onset of an undesirable fermentation
process). Fill the hole with the previous
removed soil (except stones!) and compact
well the soil.
Create a basin around the palm (diameter 1.5 m) to prevent water
run-off. Place a male palm every 20-25 female palms.
6-8 m
6-8 m
2nd irrigation: (the best method is the drip irrigation): place the tubes under the ground
between rows. Let the tubes (1-2 holes) appear over the ground in the basin of the plant.
Put attention on:
In the following years the diameter of the basin must increase until 3 m
After 3 years, add mix manure and sand around the trunk to help the rooting
process of the new offshoots
Cover the offshoot with palm fibre to
protect it against sun burning!
IRRIGATION
After planting: the soil must be constantly wet around the roots in the first six weeks.
When: irrigate in the early morning
(until 10 AM) and/or in the late
afternoon (after 6 PM).
How many water: quantity varies
respect to palm age and physiological
stage.
Offshoots: 1 h/day.
Adult palm: 2 h/day from February to
October; once a week during winter (to
avoid early flowering!)
Saline water: increase the quantity
for leaching requirements
Put attention on:
The most critical period for irrigation goes from
pollination to harvest: irrigation must be
constant and carefully checked each day!
Put attention on:
Organic manure ameliorates soil structure, increases soil fertility, promotes salinity
reduction. In the following years the diameter of the basin must increase until 3 m
after 3 years, add sand around the trunk to help the rooting process
Nord
Sud
EstWest
50-60 g
Palmtrunk
50-60 g 50-60 g
50-60 g
1st application
2nd application
Application method for LINAFED fertilization
Nord
Sud
EstWest
50-60 g
Palmtrunk
50-60 g 50-60 g
50-60 g
1st application
2nd application
Application method for LINAFED fertilization
FERTILIZATION from the 2nd year
Fertilization depends on soil composition and water quality.
Fermented organic manure:
(the best choice) put the manure with
water in a waterproof hole and let it
ferment for 6 months. Manure is usually
applied during winter time from
December to early March.
Non fermented organic manure:
distributed in November around the
trunk.
Chemical fertilization:
1) DAP (diammonium phosphate) or NPK
fertilizer (450 – 500 g /plant)
2) LINAFED
(micronutrient fertilizer, 200 – 250 g/plant divided into two applications).
Distribute around the trunk 1-2 times in spring or in summer (1st application divided in two
Nord-South, 2nd one East-West)
TREATMENTS AGAINST DISEASES AND PESTS
White scale (Parlatoria blanchardii) and mealy bug (Muconellicoccus hirsutus): Dursban* (150-
200 mL/100 L) or Cyperkill 25 EC* (150-200 mL/1000 L) plus mineral oil during wintertime.
Dust mite (May and June): Tedion* (200 mL/100 L).
* Add a Irol (50 mL/100 L) plus mineral oil.
Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus): quarantine regulation for offshoots imported
from Egypt.
Bayoud: quarantine regulation for offshoots imported from Algeria and Morocco.
Frond borers and dybas insect: use pesticides such a Dursban or Cyperkill in June.
Ephestia insect: the same thing applied when fruits start to mature until 3 weeks before harvest.
When: all treatments must be performed in the early morning or in the late afternoon.
Distribution: use spreading machines.
Prophylactic measures: distribute mineral oils and insecticides on the entire palm in December
INTERCROPPING
Alfa-Alfa: sowing in Spring or Autumn. It has positive effects due to the nitrogen fixation, the
microclimate improvement and heat reflection/reduction from the soil, but it needs high water
requirements.
Other crops (maize, garlic, onion, vegetables, cereals as wheat, barley, oat): they can easily
cultivated inside the basin, which is regularly irrigated.
POLLINATION
When: from end of February to mid-April,
depending on weather condition (temp. and
humidity) and variety.
Which pollen: if possible, it’s advisable use the
same male variety of the female to be
pollinated.
Distribution: insert the
pollen in the female
inflorescence by hand or
by a pole once they start
opening. Hand pollination
is about 3 times and
depends on whenever the
spate open and on the
performance of the
pollinator.
In the bigger and modern
farm a compressor should
be helpful to better
distribute the pollen.
Palm
trunk
Palm
trunk
FRUIT THINNING
When: May.
How much: leave 8 bunches (2 for each cardinal points).
First, cut bunches without pollinated flowers. The higher the
number of bunches on the plant, the smaller the fruits!
Choose the bunches in the middle part of the canopy.
X
X
HARVEST
When: from August to November (peak period:
September - October) depending on variety and
maturity stage
Type of harvest:
manual selection of
the best fruits on the
stalk or removal of
the full stalk.
Manual selection
happens until mid-
September
Cake preparation:
harvest of Tamar
fruits. The best
variety is Tagiat.
After harvesting (November): remove the partially/complete dry leaves. Do not remove the
green leaves! Remove all the stalks (with or without fruits).
Abel
Bamour
Berni
Bestian
Deglet
Halima
Kathari
Hamria
Noyat Meka
Omglaib
Saiedi
Zebur
Sokeri
Saila
Tagiat
Talis
Tasferit
Tameg
AUG SEPT OCT NOV
HARVEST TIMELINE IN AL JUFRA OASIS
Different stages of maturity in Saidi variety
POST-HARVEST
Immediately: wash and dry the fruits harvested at Tamar stage (Saiedi, Tagiat, Abel, Bestian,
Deglet, etc.).
Storage: keep the fruit at -20 °C ±
OTHER PRODUCTS FROM DATE PALM
syrup, vinegar, lagbì and fiber
Tamar: source of
syrup and also vinegar
Lagbì: best quality
from Abel, Hamria,
Zebur e Sokeri.
Wood from the trunks
is used by the farmer
for animal houses
Fiber: ropes, nets and other handicrafts
that can be used from the leaves such as
mats and baskets
MOST COMMON VARIETIES
The most common varieties and those of greatest agricultural interest are listed here with their
main carpological characteristics.
Abel: Well-adapted to the area. Oval fruit, yellow with brown patches; smooth, tough, thick skin;
hard flesh with a sweet but astringent flavor. High productivity, good market value, easy to
harvest, store and transport. Sensible to pests.
Bestian: With a low sugar content, this is the date variety most recommended for diabetes
sufferers. Very soft. Good for postharvest processing. Quick ageing process. High productivity,
sensitive to pests and water salinity.
Deglet: The most valuable date variety in Libya, with Algerian origin. Characterized by a shiny
skin, with soft and brownish-amber flesh. Mild sweet taste. Very suitable for long-period
conservation. Sensitive to pests.
Halima: Considered a rare delicacy, they represent the highest quality of date. The very soft
fruits are larger than average and pleasantly sweet without being cloying. Low productive, with
a high storability. Low offshoot production, with poor rooting ability.
Hamria: Very abundant in Al Jufrah, particularly in Zellah and Al-Fugha. Suitable for dry farming
system end also for production of animal feed and other things.
Kathari: Highly esteemed, though slightly astringent; stays soft throughout the year; has a
greenish-yellow fruit, oval, stubby, with a thick, hard skin and soft flesh. Slow growth of the
palm. Resistant to soil and water salinity.
Saiedi: Of ancient Egyptian origin, but now considered
one of Libya’s most important varieties, it has a
translucent dark-brown fruit, shaped like an elongated
oval, with a thin, tender skin and soft, syrupy flesh.
Palms quickly grow, resist to diseases and are very
productive, producing a regular yield each year. Easy to
harvest. The fruits have good market value due to their
pleasant flavor and suitable to storage and transport.
Tagiat: Dark-brown fruit, elongated oval in shape, with
a smooth, thick, hard skin and soft flesh; keeps quite
well. High and constant production every year. Early
and prolonged harvest period, all the maturity stages of
the fruit can be used. The best variety to prepare the
past using Tamar stage.
www.libyandates.com
Realised in the framework of the Cooperation Project
"Improvement and Valorisation of Date Palm in Al Jufrah Oasis".
Financed by the General Direction for Development Cooperation of the Italian Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
Implemented by Istituto Agronomico per l'Oltremare of Florence (Italy)
in partnership with the Improving and Developing Olive and Palm Trees Board (Tripoli, Libya);
with the technical collaboration of the departments of Agricultural Biotechnology, Agricultural
and Forestry Engineering, Crop, Soil and Environment at the University of Florence
and the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity.
Edited by IAO 2010
All rights reserved: IAO Via A. Cocchi n 4 Firenze – Italy www.iao.florence.it