Volume No. 2, Issue No. 02, June 2010, KHALIFA ... · Photograph by: Yaser Bin Ali Al Saykhan...

Photograph by: Yaser Bin Ali Al Saykhan Photograph by: Khaled Bin Ali Al Maktoum

Volume No. 2, Issue No. 02, June 2010, KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARDاملجـلد الثاني ، العـدد 02، يـونيـو )متــوز( 2010 جـائـزة خـليفــة الــدوليــة لنـخيــل التـمــر

تعلن ا�مانة العامة لجائزة خليفة الدولية لنخيل التمر

عن بدء استالم طلبات الترشيحالدورة الثالثة ٢٠١١

الى كل الباحثين والمختصين والمنتجينوالمزارعيـن ومحبـي شجـرة نخيــل التمـــر

برنامج الجائزةتقديم طلبات الترشيح: 1 يونيو ــ 30 أكتوبر ٢٠١٠

إعالن أسماء الفائزين: خالل شهر فبراير ٢٠١١حفل تكريم الفائزين: خالل شهر مارس ٢٠١١

فئات الجائزة في مجال زراعة النخيل وإنتاج التمور

فئة البحوث والدراسات المتميزة

الفائز ا�ول 300.000 درهم.

الفائز الثاني 200.000 درهم.

فئة المنتجين المتميزين



فئة أفضل تقنيةمتميزة



فئة أفضل مشروع تنموي



فئة الشخصية المتميزة


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با¦ضافة إلى درع تذكاري وشهادة تقدير.

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بالتعاون مع رابطة ابوظبي الدولية للتصوير الفوتوغرافي

من 1 / 6 ولغاية 31 / 12 / 2010

باالضافة الى درع تذكاري وشهادة تقدير

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From 01 / 06 to 31 / 12 for 2010

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مسابقة دولية للتصوير الفوتوغرافي

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All materials to be addressed to: P.O. Box 42781 Abu Dhabi, UAE

للمزيد من المعلومات: للحجز والمشاركة:

تحت رعاية سمو الشيخ

نهيان مبارك آل نهيانوزير التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي

مدينة العين

الدعوة عامة

[email protected]بريد الكتروني

2010 / 10 / 24 - 20

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Out of the keen interest of Khalifa International Date Palm Award Secretariat General to spread the awareness and specialized knowledge in date palm industry across the world.

Therefore, we invite all academics, specialist researchers, producers and date palm (the blessed tree) lovers to participate in either languages Arabic or English in related matters and issues to date palm such as (cultivation, disease prevention, maintenance, food processing, marketing, ...) materials should satisfy publication criteria set out in the magazine.

We value and appreciate your good efforts made to serve the blessed tree.

Materials are to be sent to Head of Media Committee and editor-in-chief via email address:

Invitation to Researches, writers and interested Scientists

[email protected]

The agricultural development that UAE witnesses founded by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (God bless his soul) which focused on increasing the areas and number of date palm in the country, and following the same path, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (God protects him), UAE President continues his interest and taking care of this blessed tree until UAE became one of biggest countries in date palm cultivation worldwide.

Date palm tree in UAE is a cultural and civilization heritage, in addition to its multi benefits and used in many fields. Today we have good production in quality and quantity, several dates varieties specially the rare ones which placed UAE in a leading position in this sector at the regional and international levels.

Last March, we celebrated Khalifa International Date Palm Award through honoring the Award winners of its categories in its second session 2010, we would like to stress that we are looking forward to serve the comprehensive agricultural development and the blessed tree by thought and action under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, UAE President in order to ensure food security, sustainable development, love and peace for human-kind and international community. The Award is a national initiative with an international framework for the good and peace of all man-kind.

As we welcome the Award guests to UAE, as dear guests to date palm and those involved in its sector, our hearts and minds are open for you and for what is new and innovative from research and technology to support and contribute the development of date palm sector and dates production in the region and the world. This is the core of Khalifa International Date Palm Award which enjoys the patronage of His Highness UAE President and the support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces and the interest of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

We start today from a very strong foundation of clear and tangible achievements which have been attained by the General Secretariat of Khalifa International Date Palm Award in collaboration with UAE University and all competent authorities at the national and international levels and we have solid values and principles that we adhere to and they are the source of our pride.

Nahyan Mabarak Al NahyanMinister of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Chairman of Khalifa International Date Palm Award Board of Trustees

Our solid values, we adhere to them and they are the source of our pride

OUR TREE

A short period ago we saw off UAE guests participating in the Fourth International Date Palm Conference hosted by UAE University in collaboration with Khalifa International Date Palm Award in the Capital City Abu Dhabi at Emirates Palace during the period March 15-17 2010. More than 300 academic researchers specialized in date palm participated in the mega event representing 40 countries across the world where they showcased their latest research findings in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production. They expressed their love of date palm and UAE and appreciation of the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President for his indefinite support for date palm and those involved in the date palm sector whether it is research, production and marketing worldwide. You are most welcome in your second country as dear guests among us.

Now we are very close, as another international event is around the corner and circles concerned in date palm at the regional level and worldwide is waiting it in next October, it is UAE International Fourth Exhibition for date palm and dates with a kind patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to be hosted by UAE University in collaboration with Khalifa International Date Palm Award and Date Palm Friends Society in the green city of Al Ain (Oasis city) during the period October 20-24, 2010. Preparations are under way to make the fourth edition of the Exhibition a success story.

Also this exhibition shows the special attention attached by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, UAE President to this important economic sector and the support of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, Chairman of the Executive Council.

The International Date Palm Fourth Exhibition shall provide a valuable opportunity for experiences and views exchange among producers, specialist scholars in date palm cultivation and dates production around the globe. Once again a very warm welcome in Al Ain city, with love we shall meet in coming October.

Dr. Abdelouahhab ZaidSecretary General of Khalifa International Date Palm Award

Editor in Chief.

Welcome Al Ain Guests

OUR MESSAGE

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DATE PALM AND THOSE INVOLVED IN THIS SECTOR ARE HONORED BY KHALIFA’S PATRONAGE TO THE AWARD

WHO ARE THE WINNERS...THE SECOND SESSION 2010 OF KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARD?

NAHAYAN MABARAK: HEADING THE 3RD SESSION OF THE AWARD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

UAE UNIVERSITY, DATE PALM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT ESTABLISHES ...........

CHARACTERIZATION OF IRAQI ZAHDI DATE PITS

UAE UNIVERSITY SIGNS THREE MOUS WITH THREE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH PARTIES

“THE BLESSED TREE” SETS THE FOUNDATION FORSPECIALIZED SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION IN EMIRATES

WINNING AND DISTINGUISHED WORKS EXHIBITION OF “DATE PALM THROUGH THE EYES OF WORLD COMPETITION 2010”

PERSONALITY ISSUE

“NAMIBIAN RIPE DATES AVAILABLE AT DINING TABLES IN UAE DURING WINTER AND .....

TO CONTROL THE RED PALM WEEVIL RHYNCHOPHORUS FERRUGINEUS (OLIV.)

RECOMMENDATIONS

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06CONTENTS

Publication criteria in the magazine

1. The articles should be new, dedicated particularly to the Award’s magazine, and have not published before.

2. Articles are to be in a soft copy, whether in Arabic or English, and should be supported by specialized sources and references at the end.

3. Researches and studies should be accompanied by the required scientific photographs of high quality (digital / high resolution).

4. Articles and photographs are to be submitted to the magazine by e-mail, or to be sent to the Award’s P.O. Box on a CD with a typed and printed hard copy.

5. The magazine is not obliged to return the articles back, whether published or not, to the participants.

6. A writer of an article should enclose a personal photo with his CV including the full name, phone number, email and P.O. Box, in addition to the bank account number in English (Name, Name of the Bank, Account Number and Swift Code) in order to allow sending him the due amount in case the article is published, in compliance with the Magazine’s financial system.

7. All Articles in the magazine necessarily reflect the views of their respective authors and do not oblige Khalifa International Date Palm Award.

8. Scientific subjects in the magazine are arranged according to technical considerations.

9. The Magazine welcomes readers from all the date palm lovers around the world, who contribute in deepening the knowledge and building a sustainable society.

The Blessed TreeA seasonal scientific magazine specialized

in date palms

Published byKhalifa International Date Palm Award

National Media Council PermitNo. 1/107006/23818

ISBN978-9948-15-335-1

Volume No. 02, Issue No. 02Jamadi Al-Akhar 1431 Hijri / June 2010

Honorary ChairmanH.E. Sheikh NahayanMabarak Al NahayanMinister of Higher Education

and Scientific ResearchChairman of the Award Board of Trustees

General Coordinator Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid

Award Secretary General

Editorial ManagerEng. Emad Saad

Head of Media [email protected]

Legal DirectorDr. Helal Humaid Saad Al Kaabi

Proof ReaderMr. Mahmoud Badr

PhotographyJack Jabour, Nezar Ballout

Amjad Dourgham

Design, Layout and Printing

P.O Box 111047, Abu Dhabi, U A ETel. 0097126333970Fax: 0097126333756

[email protected] [email protected]

Scientific Supervision Board

Prof. Ghaleb AlhadramiDean’s Office

College of Food and Agriculture, UAE University

Dr.Helal Humaid Saad Al KaabiDirector of Gardens & Recreation

Facilities Div. Southern Region

Dr. Hassan ShabanaDate Palm Global Network

Magazine CorrespondencesAll technical and scientific materials are to

be addressed to the Head of the Media Committee, Editorial Manager,

on the following address:P.O. Box 42781, Abu Dhabi, UAEMobile No. 0097150 [email protected]

www.kidpa.ae

Date palm and those involved in this sector are honored by Khalifa’s patronage to the Award

Khalifa support is a natural reflection to his highness attention to the date palm

Second Session2010

The Award was and still will be a sincere and honest expression for the vision of its founder and patron His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President: Nahayan Mabarak

UAE cultivates date palm with love and spread its fruits to the world: Chancellor of UC, Davis

THE BLESSED TREE - JUNE 201006 - 07

THE BLESSED TREE - JUNE 2010

H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research extended great thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and praised his highness resolute efforts and generosity to achieve a real development in the agricultural field in general and date palm sector in particular. His Highness approval to establish this Award and his strong support is a natural reflection of his highness interest of date palm tree and developing its cultivation to achieve all its economic benefits. In fact, the Award is a real testimony of his highness keenness to mobilize all efforts and consolidate coordination channels and joint action to make best use of all studies, researches and experiments in this field worldwide.

This was expressed by His Highness during the Award Distribution Ceremony of winners of Khalifa International Date Palm Award in its second session Monday, March 15, 2010 at Emirates Palace in the capital Abu Dhabi. In the presence of H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma, Ex. President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Saeed Al Massry, Minister of Agriculture in Jordan, H.E. Al Seddik Mohammed Al Sheikh, Minister of Agriculture in Sudan, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah

Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Isa Cultural Center in Bahrain and Professor Linda Katehi, Chancellor of University of California, Davis and H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Janahi, President of University of Bahrain, their excellencies ambassadors accredited to UAE in addition to heads of regional and international organizations and a large number of researchers, and those interested in date palm and members of the scientific committee, winners and honored of the Award in its second session 2010.

H.H. also expressed their thanks and sincere appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, for his strong and generous support for this International Award which are proud of and his wise vision of the future of agricultural development in the country which puts the date palm sector at its centre. H.H. also added that, He is also proud of his highness interest to see UAE always as a leading model, in the successful work and efficient and excellent achievements in all areas.

He also thanked and appreciated H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister

of Presidential Affairs, for his highness generous keenness to provide the full support for this Award and his valuable insights for the Award to be really productive and successful instrument to develop date palm cultivation, dates production in the country, region and across the world.

H.H. extended a special greeting to all who competed and participated in the Award this year and would like to congratulate all winners, appreciating each one of them to represent high


standards of success and achievement in date palm sector. I wish they will always be model example for their colleagues and even their winning the Award to be a motive for more progress and broader achievement. Our celebration today is indeed a celebration for creativity and innovation which in turn contribute to achieve the economic development, improve productivity and strengthen prosperity in the development of the community in general.

Furthermore, He thanked all members of the Board of Trustees of the Award for their interest and efforts, and all organizations and institutions which cooperate with the Award administration and appreciated their significant role and remarkable contribution in this field. H.H. wished that work will continue at the same pace in support and development of date palm cultivation and dates production and studies in order to the Award to be a crucial instrument to encourage work, creativity and innovation in the development of our nation but even the whole world.

On the other hand, H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan expressed his great pleasure that the Award Distribution Ceremony coincides with the Fourth International Date Palm Conference organized by UAE University in collaboration with Khalifa International Date Palm Award and Date Palm Friends Society. The theme of this year’s conference is, “New Dimensions and Challenges for Sustainable Date Palm Production” which is a very vital theme after the sustainable development became an obsession in the thinking and efforts of all governments, institutions and individuals in all over the world.

H.H. wished all participants to have a productive and fruitful conference in confirmation to the role of researchers and scientists in determining the agricultural techniques that preserve environment and illustrating the UAE leading

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First category: Distinguished Research /

Studies

WINNERS ACCORDING TO CATEGORIES

First winner

First winner

First winner

First winner

Second Winner

Second Winner

Second Winner

Second Winner

Second Category: Distinguished Producers

Third Category: The Best New Technique

Fourth Category: The Best Development Project

Fifth Category: Distinguished Figure

Dr. Benaichi Bachir - Algeria

Saleh Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi, Awqaf administration - KSA

Dhabi polymers Complex- Dr.Ridha Ibrahim Salih – UAE

Mr. David James and Mrs. Anita Reilly- Australia

Dr.AbdulRahman Ibrahim Al-Humaid – KSA

Dr.Joel A.Malek – Qatar

Al Foah Organic Farm - UAE

Eng. Kassem Tofailli-USA

Was withheld

First winner


initiatives in this field and its interest to achieve the sustainable development in all areas according to a deliberated scientific approach that open to all the best practices and successful stories at the international level and aims at the meantime to develop technological and behavioural changes required to preserve nature and protecting it with all care and attention.

H.H. Sheikh Nahayan, the Chancellor of UAE University welcomed all participants in this conference, with a special welcome is paid to the Chancellor of University of California, Davis who is participating in the activities of this conference in continuation to the fruitful cooperation between UAE University and UC, Davis.

Furthermore, I would like to express my pleasure and optimism of what I see from a sincere desire from all to study and implement effective systems for an advanced agricultural production that preserve the environment and make the knowledge and technologies available to farmers and growers and firmly emphasize the importance of Scientific Research and Agricultural Extension Services to achieve a permanent economic growth that preserves environment and elevate the welfare of the community. At the end of his keynote speech, H.H. expressed his congratulations for the winners of Khalifa International Date Palm Award and many thanks and appreciation to all of you, wishing all of you more success in your careers and research endeavors.

The Award General SecretariatOn his part Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Date Palm Award, expressed in his opening speech his pleasure saying it is a great honour that this event is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and the support of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, and interest of H.H.

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Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The event also was honoured by the presence of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award and his respected guests, theirs highnesses, excellencies, dignitaries and honoured people, distinguished scholars, researchers participating in the Forth International Date Palm Conference.

Guest of Honor of the ConferenceAfter that Professor Linda Katehi, Chancellor of U.C. Davis, gave a speech where she said that the majestic date palms lining the road from Abu Dhabi airport to the hotel are a wonderful testament to the profound vision of the founder of this country, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (May God bless His Soul).

It is because of his great vision that sustainable date palm production in the United Arab Emirates exists today. For more than half a century, he led strategic planning of the agricultural development, with the date palm in particular, of the United Arab Emirates. Furthering this vision, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin

Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has made great strides with his resolute efforts to continue the cultivation of date palms.

And in these efforts, the United Arab Emirates has not lost sight of sustainability, as evidenced by having achieved qualitative leaps in fighting desertification, expanding the planting cover and encouraging the growth of food industries based on dates. These steps are contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the United Arab Emirates now and well into the future.

The Khalifa International Date Palm AwardProfessor Linda Katehi added that the establishment of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award by the United Arab Emirates was, no doubt, due to its history of excellence in this field. The Award is well-respected in the international community and the UAE will continue to lead the way in the support of regional and international efforts in date palm cultivation, due to its economic importance in fighting hunger and eliminating poverty in many countries across the globe.

This, in turn, will help to sustain security, stability and peace throughout the world.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the researchers, producers and inventors who won Khalifa International Date Palm Awards in its second session.

We appreciate the efforts of all who were not fortunate to win the prize this time around and hope to see them next year on the stage as winners of the prize. I would also like to thank the General Secretariat of Khalifa International Date Palm Award.

The General Secretariat’s distinguished efforts and excellent administration

Announcement of establishing a collaborative program between UAE University and Ministry of Presidential Affairs & University of California, Davis to develop a biotechnology initiative in the United Arab Emirates


increased the visibility of the Award and the UAE in scientific arenas, such as universities, laboratories, and research centers specializing in date palm cultivation and date production in the United States. This emphasizes the international dimension of the Award as it represents the UAE identity and the national fingerprint under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and the keen pursuit of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award.

Also, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the date palm industry is advanced by events such as today’s International Date Palm Conference, which illustrates the special attention and priority given by His Highness to this important economic sector. This conference is the fourth in a series of international conferences organized by the United Arab Emirates during the last 11 years.

These international conferences provide an excellent forum for distinguished date palm scientists, experts, and senior officials from around the world to exchange scientific information and ensure that cutting-edge research continues. The fact that many countries and international organizations are here represents significant international technical cooperation on various aspects of the date palm production chain.

One of the greatest challenges of the 21st century is transitioning to a sustainable future, so the theme for this conference, “New Dimensions and Challenges for Sustainable Date Palm Production” is very timely. It is anticipated that in the next 50 years our planet’s population will increase by 2.5 billion people and will demand an increase of 70 percent in food production.

A scarcity of water and the deterioration of

arable land represent a clear threat to the needs of a growing global population. In addition, climate change will negatively impact agricultural productivity globally, producing a shift in crop patterns and a rise in temperatures that will reduce yields and, ultimately, affect food security. This conference is an important part of the global effort to address these challenges.

UC Davis Shares Vision of a Sustainable FutureProfessor Katehi, expressed her pleasure that they at the University of California, Davis, share our vision of a sustainable approach to agriculture and your commitment to preserving the environment. Sustainability is an area of great focus and tremendous strength for our university. Our scientists seek to address global challenges in areas such as sustainability, the environment, energy, security, and health and well-being.

As our university enters its second century, we take inspiration from our roots as a pioneering agricultural school—translating our heritage into forward-looking discoveries that shape the quality of life for people everywhere. We are determined to marshal the broad excellence of our university in cross-disciplinary collaboration to ensure a sustainable future. The breadth of our programs and our collaborative spirit provide us with greater opportunity to inspire innovation at the intersection of disciplines.

At the University of California, Davis, we have led our nation in multidisciplinary research and we are taking this approach in developing viable answers to global challenges. For example, we are using genetics, ohmics and biotechnology for the development of crops and plant species with enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses, such as heat, drought and salinity. Professor Eduardo Blumwald is leading a team of scientists

in a project aimed at combining high throughput technologies to generate food, feed and fiber crops with superior water use efficiency and enhanced nutrient use efficiency.

These technologies will allow for the development of crops that will require less water and inputs and able to grow in arid environments.

Collaboration between UAE University, UC Davis and Ministry of Presidential AffairsIn addition the Chancellor of UC Davis stated that she is proud to announce that a collaborative program has been established between the United Arab Emirates University, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and the University of California, Davis, to develop a biotechnology initiative in the United Arab Emirates.

The objective of this program is to generate stress-tolerant plants, trees and grasses for numerous urbanization and biotechnology programs in the United Arab Emirates, and it also includes the development of a training platform. It is our hope that, through the work of this initiative, grasses, plants and trees, such as the date palm, can better flourish in an arid environment. The University of California Davis, is honored by your partnership and we look forward to our continuing work together.

The Award is a grant from Khalifa and a continuation to Late Zayed efforts in serving and growing date palm sector in UAE and worldwide

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Second session (2010)

DistinguishedFigure

The best development

project

The best new

technique

Distinguishedproducer

Excellent researchand study

Categoriesnumber

Total no. of participated

countries

Total no. ofparticipants

Season

8526318392009

8137141524662010

Second session (2010)

Arabic countries

Foreign countries

OmanQatarTunisiaPalestineSudanAlgeriaLibyaSomaliaJordanIraqLebanonMoroccoSyriaEgyptKSAUAECountrySeason

-11121--26-234272009111113111121-49972010

JapanAustraliaIranPolandItalyIndiaSwedenFranceUKUSACountrySeason

--26-234272009

211-1411232010


WHO ARE THEWINNERS...The Second session 2010 of Khalifa International Date Palm Award?

The Award was and still a sincere and honest expression of the vision of its Founder and Patron; His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President

Born in Muharraq in 1922Graduated From Bahrain Governmental Schools, 1951- 1956 Judge in Bahrain Law Courts, 1957- 1962 Judge in Supreme Appeal Court1962- 1967 President of Riffa Municipality, 1967- 1970 President of Manama Municipality & Chairman of planning & Coordination Council1971- 1975 Minister of Municipalities & Agriculture, 1975- 2002 Minister of Justice & Islamic Affairs , President of Minors Estate Directorate Council2002, Deputy Prime Minister- Minister of Islamic AffairsPresident of the Ministerial Committee for Legal AffairsChairman of the High Committee for Pilgrimage AffairsChief Editor of AlWatheeka Magazine, 2007-President of Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs, President of Historical Documents Centre of the Crown Prince Court, Chairman of Bahrain Red Crescent Society , Vice- President of Financial Recourses Committee, Chairman of National Committee for Jerusalem SupportPresident of Humanitarian Affairs, Honorary President of Bahrain Philanthropic Society, Honorary President of Wisdom House Society Chief Editor of Al- Hiddaya Islamic Magazine, 2008-Chairman of Isa Cultural Center

H. H. Shaikh Abdulla Bin Khalid Al-Khalifa kingdom of bahrainFor his important role in date

palm cultivation-Session 2/2010

14 - 15

Second Session2010


H.E. Zuhair Abul-Adib, the Agricultural advisor to His Highness Sheikh Khalifah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates was granted the Memorial Shield of the Award as he is one of the key players in the date palm cultivation and dates production in the United Arab Emirates. H.E. agricultural career started in the city of Al Ain in 1960. During the seventies of the last century, he established the first date palm farm relying on local species and following the traditional methods of farming operations. In the 1980’s, he introduced modern irrigation systems in various patterns which are highly efficient in saving water, and entered new varieties of World’s renowned and high yielding dates through importing them from around the World. He has also established modern farms for His Highness the Head of the State, that are of the best in applying latest farming techniques in the date palm area, including special farms for the potent date palms of the finest international brands as they have direct impact on the specifications of fruits and their improvement. One of the most unique achievements in this area is producing potent palm with distinguished specifications (high quality flowers) called Fahl Al-Ain, and worked on proliferating it through tissue culture in Date Palm & Dates Studies & Development Center at the United Arab Emirates University. He established the first date canning factory in the city of Al-Ain in 1986 (Al-Ain Dates Factory) and all dates used are from the farms of His Highness Sheikh Khalifah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Head of the State.

H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al-Raqbani, the Ex-Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries was granted the Memorial Shield of the Award as he is one of the influential figures in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production in the United Arab Emirates. His occupying the highest ministerial office related to date palm cultivation & dates production for quarter a century ago (1974 - 2006) was a positive element to move the agricultural development wheel at various levels, especially the date palm. H.E. has established four agricultural areas at the State level; the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, the Central Region (Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain), the Northern Region (RAK), and the Eastern Region (Fujairah and Khor Fakkan) with the aim of facilitating the service of the agricultural sector and farmers spreading the date palm trees cultivation until the total number reached to 42.7 million trees, which is the highest figure in the world. This is in addition to adopting a special system for marketing the products of dates at the State’s level, and also creating several agricultural experiment stations, of which the most important is Al-Hamraniyah Research Station in RAK specialized in agricultural researches on date palm trees, pests and diseases infecting the date palm tree such as Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus, which led to recording a patent in this area for combating the moth by fungi. H.E. also supported and developed the national human resources through providing academic scholarships inside and outside the State, which resulted in having a lot of technical and academic specialized experts whether holders of master’s degrees or PhDs in the Ministry of Agriculture. H.E. played an active role in the regional organizations and in the State as the most senior Arab Minister of Agriculture.

H.E. the Advisor Zuhair Abul-Adib UAE

For his important role in date palm cultivation-Session 2/2010

H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al-Raqbani UAE

For his important role in date palm cultivation-Session 2/2010


Khalifa International Date Palm Award was granted to Dr. Bachir Benaishi from Algeria for winning the first place for the distinguished researches and studies category in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production on a research entitled (the Dates Production Economics in Algeria). His research dealt with the most important obstacles and problems associated with the dates production, methods proposed for the dates harvest advancement in Algeria, in addition to the tag ingredients (obstacles, marketing, production capacity, components, export). The study included the following sections:

Algerian dates production status, dates marketing status, problems facing the dates crop, methods proposed for the advancement of dates harvest, in addition to findings and recommendations.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Bin Aishi Bachir from the State of Algeria holds a PhD in higher education from the University of Mohamed Khider Baskara. Now he is a lecturer in the Department of Economics at the same University and was formerly Professor and Head of the Operational Automated Information Department at the Mustafa Istanbuli University Center at Muaskar.

First Winner: Dr. Benaichi BachirAlgeria

First category: Distinguished Research / Studies

Khalifa International Date Palm Award was granted to Dr. Joel Malek from Cornell College in the State of Qatar for winning the second place for the distinguished researches and studies category in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production on a research entitled (De novo Sequencing and Comparative Genomics of the Date Palm Tree Using Massively Parallel Sequencing).

Dr. Joel worked on decoding the complete genome of the date palm, and increased the number of known genes from about 80 to more than 19000 of the working genes. From these works we received important information on the genetic differences for the date palm variety, whether male or female genetic differences, and markers breeding improvement. We understand the need for such information as a basis for genetic studies in the future of date palm.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Joel Malek holds a Master degree in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore and a Bachelor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles and is currently a trainer of genetics in medicine and director of genomics laboratory. He also created a new facility for the genomics, including access to technology implementation, lab management and working on developing a new technology for genomic research in the State of Qatar.

Second Winner: Dr. Joel Malek Qatar


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Khalifa International Date Palm Award was granted to Saleh Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi’s Awqaf Department of Saudi Arabia for winning the first place for the distinguished producers category in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production for Al-Baten Date Palms Project. Saleh Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi’s Awqaf Department (a charity) was established in mid-1997. The Department has an agricultural section which runs three agricultural projects, one of which is Al-Baten Date Palm Project containing more than 200,000 date palm trees and winning a certification of being the largest date palm plantation in the world by the British Guinness Book of World Records in 2005. Another project is Darma’ Project which includes 50,000 date palms. And the third is Al-Ha’ir Al-Tawfiq Al-Afja Project including 2085 date palms, all are located in the central region of Saudi Arabia. The Department acquired the ECOCERT Certification from the European Organization for Organic Agriculture stating that one part of Al-Baten Project (29000 Palm 14.5%) has been transferred organic farming. It also received the second place of the Prince Faisal bin Bandar Date Palm & Dates Award at the level of model farms Al-Qasim in 2008 in addition to eight academic statements from labs at the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Qassim and labs at the Faculty of Food Sciences & Agriculture at King Saud University stating that Agricultural Section’s products are free from residual effect of pesticides on dates.

First Winner: Saleh Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi’s Awqaf Department

Saudi Arabia


Khalifa International Date Palm Award was granted to Al-Foa Organic Farm in the city of Al Ain for winning the second place for the distinguished producers category in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production. Al-Foa Farm is one of the main facilities of the Al-Foa Company LLC. which is subsidiary of Abu Dhabi General Holding Company, which was founded in May 2005 as a company specialized in the development of the date palm sector in the United Arab Emirates. It has under its umbrella the Emirates Dates Factory at Al-Sad and Al-Dhafra Dates Factory at Al-Marfa’, dates receiving centers and Al-Foa Farm at Al-Ain.

Al-Foa Farm which has more than 65,000 date palms was converted to an organic-dates production farm due to the importance of the environment preservation and safe food production through applying global standards developed under the supervision of the ECOCERT Office. In June 2008 the farm obtained the organic farming certificate in accordance with the European & American organic farming systems to be the largest organic palm farm in the world and a model to be followed by those wishing to shift to organic agriculture through providing technical advice and expertise in support of the organic farming process at the State through applying the latest agricultural methods on date palm trees and adopting agricultural inputs of fertilizers, pesticides and materials compatible with the organic agricultural regulations.

Second Winner: Al-Foa Organic Farm UAE



Khalifa International Date Palm Award was granted to Dr. Reda Ibrahim Salih / United Arab Emirates for winning the first place for the best technique category in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production on a research entitled (Manufacturing & Use of Date Palm Fronds Fibers and Residues with Polymers for the Production of Multiple Compounds).

The invention uses the residues of date palm in manufacturing plastic compounds by extracting cellulose in the form of fibers from date palm fronds or waste via industrial processes handled thermally under high pressure and homogeneous mixture of polyolefin compounds to produce new homogenous materials. Homogeneous products of natural ingredients represented in the date palm fibers has the same positive features of the plastic compounds. These new compounds are widely used in the production of construction materials and systems, and in other transforming industries. This technology and innovation is unique and will be commensurate with the requirements of date palm development and cultivation at the global level.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Reda Ibrahim Saleh is an Iraqi inventor holding a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and has many other innovations and inventions, some of which have been applied in the industry.

First Winner: Dr. Reda Ibrahim Saleh UAE

The Khalifa International Date Palm Award was granted to Eng. Kassem Tofailli from the United States. Eng. Kassem won first place in the “best technique” category in the field of palm cultivation and date production for his research entitled: “The Early Detection of the Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus, the Date Palm Weevil (or Red Moth)”. Eng. Kassem introduced a new technology for early detection of this deadly pest, often referred to as palm cancer.

The proposed method is based on combining electronic computing techniques and medical technogies for the detection of the RPW larva, which is of particular importance as this is the phase that can cause the earliest (and usually irreversible) direct damage to the tree. The research of Eng. Kassem focuses on this phase of the Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus’s lifecycle, and presents photographic results of the tests performed in developing this method. He also proposes new protocols that can help improve current quarantine policies and procedures. Finally, Eng. Kassem’s work suggests possible directions for future research and product development to detect the RPW at different phases of its lifecycle. Eng. Kassem emphasizes that the early detection of RPW is the first line of defense for any successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.

It is noteworthy that despite numerous attempts to handle the growing problem of RPW infestation, this is still one of the most serious pests facing palm trees in more than 35 countries around the world, including the Arabian Gulf, the Mediterranean Sea, East Asia, and part of Europe.

Second Winner: Qasem Al-Tafili United States



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Khalifa International Date Palm Award was granted to M/S David & Anita Reilly from Australia for winning the first place for the best development project category in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production for their role in the development of date palm industry in Australia, as they imported many date palm varieties that are common in the UAE, with the aim of exporting the excellent date crops in each season to the UAE.

It is worth mentioning that David Riley is the Managing Director and the owner of Gurra Downs Date Company Pty Ltd, while Anita Riley is the Director of the Company. Mr. David plays a key role in the development of the date palm industry in Australia. He holds the Northern Agricultural Lands Degree from Catherine Agricultural College and recently obtained a diploma in horticulture yields. In 1990 they bought Gurra Downs and established their own garden in 2007

First Winner: M/S David & Anita Riley Australia


Khalifa International Date Palm Award was granted to Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al-Hamid from Saudi Arabia for winning the title of the distinguished figure in the field of date palm cultivation and dates production. Dr. Hamid has obtained a bachelor’s degree from the College of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, a master’s degree from Iowa State University of Science & Technology and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in the United States.

His career was full of scientific and practical achievements that would develop date palm & date production sector in Saudi Arabia and the whole region, such as:

1- Worked as a reporter for the 1st International Scientific Date Palm Assembly & its accompanying activities at the Faculty of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine at Al-Qasim.

2- Prepared, wrote the scenario and executively supervised the Date Palm Film which was displayed during the opening of the Date Palm International Conference on several Arab satellite channels.

3- Prepared, implemented and supervised the date palm festivals such as the Al-Janadriya Heritage & Culture Festival, the Palm Exhibition in Russia, the Palm Exhibition in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Palm Exhibition in Turkey, the Palm Exhibition in Algeria, and the Palm Exhibition in France.

4- Wrote a number of technical & scientific brochures related to date palms & dates.

Submitted some researches on date palm trees, made many TV & Radio interviews locally and internationally, and wrote several articles in newspapers and magazines to clarify the importance of date palm and its role in human life and the environment

H.E. Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Ibrahim Al Hamid Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


Nahayan Mabarak attends the inauguration of the Fourth International Date Palm Conference

Under the patronage of His Highness President of UAE

260 scholars, researchers and experts representing 40 countries presented 144 papers


Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and with the presence of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Chancellor of UAE University the proceedings of the Fourth International Date Palm Conference started on Monday

March 15, 2010 through March 17, 2010 at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. A number of Ministers of Agriculture and Senior Officials specialized in Date Palm and Dates Sector at the regional and international levels participated in the inauguration of the conference. H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma, Ex. President of Namibia,


H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Isa Cultural Center in Bahrain, H.E. Saeed Al Massry, Minister of Agriculture in Jordan, H.E. Al Seddik Mohammed Al Sheikh, Minister of Agriculture in Sudan, Professor Linda Katehi, Chancellor of University of California, Davis and H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Janahi, President of University of Bahrain were present.

The conference discussed major features and themes during its three days in the scientific session number of papers, we

would like to shed some light on some of abstracts of what the scientists have presented from working papers. A study presented the role of date palm tree in improvement of the environment. The date palm tree plays an important role as a source of food, building material and landscaping. The importance of the tree is highlighted since it is salt- and drought tolerant, and can be used in combating desertification. Also, the effects of bunch bagging on Succary and Khalas date palm cultivars yield and fruit physical

characteristics have been presented – The study investigated bunches of two date palm cultivars (Succary and Khalas) subjected to five plastic coloured bagging treatments: black, white, blue, yellow and control (unbagged). All bagging treatments increased bunch weight. Blue coloured covers enhanced fruit ripening, and increased flesh and fruit weights, size, length and fruit diameter.

In addition other researchers participated with a study on potential of commercial cultivation and expansion of date


palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in western Rajasthan, India – Date palm cultivation in India is being stimulated through the Nahar project (currently irrigating 1.96 million ha and projected additional irrigation of 10 million ha). An additional five districts in western Rajasthan has 4.1 million ha available, suitable for further date palm cultivation.

Date palm protection:

On the theme of Date Palm Protection, a researcher has presented new methods used to control of the Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus). Endotherapic treatment for Metwaly method – The successful application of the endotherapic method for the palm tree against the Red Palm must be performed timely with two interventions per year followed by steady monitoring of the plants. Currently, three models of the TREE VITAL MACHINE are available on the market, and they have all been developed so as to be adapted for each different application.

Meanwhile a researcher has participated with a study on Characterization of pathogens associated with date palm roots in the Sultanate of Oman – A study was conducted over 2008 and 2009 to characterize the most common fungal pathogens associated with root diseases of date palms in Oman. Preliminary data showed that Fusarium species (F. solani and F. equiseti) were the most common fungi associated with date palm root systems. Other important fungi included

Ceratocystis radicicola, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Bipolaris spicifera, Nectria species and others.

A paper on Biocides, soil solarization and fumigation to control Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Albedinis, inciting bayoud disease on date palm was presented by another researcher – In vitro testing of shrimp shell, vetiver- leaves and roots effect resulted in complete inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis spore germination. Amending soil with shrimp shell (1% w/w) also resulted in 26.5% increased antagonistic actinomycetes population. The effects of soil solarisation and metham sodium, alone or in combination, showed that (40 cm depth) all treatments eliminated more than 80% of total fungi and 90% of Fusarium spp. These results suggest that such soil disinfestations would help eradicate F. oxysporum from infested soils before planting date palms.

Date Palm Processing:

In the Session of Date Palm Processing and Marketing, Researchers presented Microbiological analysis of date palm fruit sold in Abu Dhabi emirate food safety & animal care sector, department of laboratories, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) – ADFCA monitors the implementation of hygiene during the manufacturing process (HACCP system) and applies the food safety standards of ADFCA. Samples of date palm fruits, from various varieties, were collected from local markets and retailers (processed by local

factories) and analyzed at the laboratories / Microbiology section in ADFCA, Al Ain branch. From a total number of 245 samples, 53 (21.6%) were not compliant with UAE regulations, due to osmophylic yeast counts and moulds exceeding the allowed maximum. No Escherichia coli and Salmonella were detected.

Organic Date Palm Cultivation

In the Session of Organic Date Palm, other researchers participated with a study on the expected impact of applying organic agriculture concept on the economics of date production – The research aims at studying the impacts of applying organic agriculture on the economics of date production. It is achieved by measuring the effects of reducing chemical fertilizers and pesticides and increasing organic fertilizers usage in date production, consumption and foreign trade. The results depended on simulation analysis and regressive models estimated through sequential application of the ordinary least squares (OLS) procedure.

Date Palm Wastes

A number of researchers presented a pilot study to quantify the use of date palm wastes (leaves, Leaf, Kurnav) organic fertilizer in the desert areas – the study investigated the possibility of exploiting some of the local organic material of date palm wastes (leaves, Leaf, Krnav), for improving microbiological activity of sandy soils and improving areas of desert in southern Algeria, especially the process

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of carbon mineralization, something that would create ways to re-use materials in a sustainable way that is utilizable by plants. Data obtained shows the positive effect of such material on the microbiological activity of soils. Overall results showed the importance of adding organic date palm waste for improving soil in desert areas for reclamation purposes.

Convening the fourth session of the conference successively in Abu Dhabi is a testament of the prestigious scientific standing of UAE globally in the field of date palm and dates production.

Recommendations4th International Date Palm Conference


The scientists, researchers and specialists who participated in the 4th International Date Palm Conference praised the unlimited support which is given to the scientific research and sustainable development of the date palm sector in UAE on all levels, official and public, thanks to the patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, and support of HH, General Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Chief Commander of the Armed Forces, as well as the interest of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and follow up of HH Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the UAE University, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa International Date Palm Prize. The conference was concluded on Wednesday, 17/3/2010, at the Emirates Palace in the capital Abu Dhabi.

The honorees and winners who received

Khalifa International Date Palm award also praised the comprehensive development witnessed by the United Arab Emirates under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (may God protect him) and his esteemed fellow members of the Supreme Council, Rulers of the Emirates and the Crown Prince, in accordance with the approach established by the late, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates (may God rest his soul).

The participants at the conference expressed their great appreciation and sincere thanks to His Highness the Head of State, for kindly embracing the conference under his patronage; a graceful gesture which truly expressed the United Arab Emirates’ pride in date palm as a national treasure and support for the national economy, agriculture, industry and trade.

The participants of this conference and the award winners and honorees expressed their thanks and appreciation to HH Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al


Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, for his guidance and generous support of the Conference and the Award. They also thanked the Award’s General Secretariat and all the institutions that participated in organizing and sponsoring those two outstanding events, led by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the UAE University, the Khalifa International Date Palm Award and Palm Friends Society.

At the conclusion of their work, the conferees issued a number of recommendations designed to double the efforts to develop the agriculture and manufacture of date palm in all its aspects and stages so as to increase productivity, in accordance with the population growth around the world and the growing demand for dates and their products.

The following are the recommendations of the Conference:1- Create the Khalifa Chair for Date Palm in UAE University to promote research

and studies in the university in the field of cultivation of palm and production of dates.

2- Issue a scientific journal published twice a year (under the supervision of the General Secretariat of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, in collaboration with the Global Network of Date Palm). That journal will be dedicated to publishing bilingual Arabic and English scientific research on the development of date palm.

3- Intensify the scientific and technical cooperation between the various factors involved in the development of date palm, by encouraging the exchange of information and experiences. In this regard, the International Conference series on Date Palm can be considered a model where valuable opportunities for the desired exchange are created and the latest achievements in various aspects of agriculture, manufacture and trade of palm dates are exhibited.

4- Launch a campaign of specialized workshops in the Arab region and the world to discuss the issues and local problems related to cultivation and production of palm dates, through broader participation of global quality experiences in the transfer and adaptation of technical knowledge.

Nahayan Mabarak: Heading the 3rd Session of the Award Board of Trustees



H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, headed on Monday 15 March 2010, in the Emirates Palace the third meeting of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award Board of Trustees in the presence of all Board members. During the meeting, H.H. was briefed on the achievements of the General Secretariat of the Award at its second session and reviewed the Award’s

technical and financial report, in addition to media files and the Award’s spreading over a short period of time. H.H. also adopted the Award’s management and information plan in its third session in a way that ensures expanding the relations and strengthening its participation on the Arab and international arenas, aiming at raising the rate of participation in the Award’s categories at its third session.

On the other hand, H.H. Chairman of Board of Trustees has adopted the proposal submitted by the General Secretariat of the Award about the establishment of a special chair called “Khalifa Chair for Date Palm”, provided that the United Arab Emirates University shall be adopting this chair and providing means of success to reach its noble goals in serving farmers, researchers, producers and date palm tree lovers around the world.

Nahayan Mabarak: UAE University is a globally reputed knowledge sharing center and Technology transfer of Date Palm Tissue Culture for the whole world.

UAE University signs three MOUs with three international scientific and research parties


Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of UAE University, the UAE University has signed yesterday morning three Memorandum of Understandings with three different international scientificand research parties at one time.

Whereas UAE University is a globally reputed knowledge sharing center for Date Palm research, development and supply of planting material and services for tissue culture derived date palm plants with the objective of expanding science, knowledge and technology transfer of date palm tissue culture represented by


Date Palm Research & Development Unitto different places worldwide.

The first MOU : has been signed with Phoenix Agrotech for Biotechnology, California – USA, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Abdullah Saad Al Khanbashi, UAE University Vice Chancellor and Dr. Franz Hoffmann Owner (in consortio) and representative of Phoenix Agrotech. The term of the MOU is five years and it may be renewed, revised or modified after discussions by representatives of both institutions. The purpose of this MOU is to develop a technical cooperation on the basis of equality and reciprocity and to promote relations and mutual understanding between the two institutions. Where UAEU provides technology transfer from UAEU to Phoenix Agrotech in Date Palm tissue culture and any technical assistance in the field of cultivation of Date Palm plants. Phoenix Agrotech will be responsible for financing the services provided by UAEU. These services will include, but not be limited to, consultation services, site visits, training of PA staff, program design/supervisionand quality validation.

The second MOU: has been signed with ACGT SDN BHD (formerly known as ASIATIC CENTRE FOR GENOME TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD) in the presence of H.E. Dr. Abdullah Saad Al Khanbashi,

UAE University Vice Chancellor and Dr. Cheah Suan Choo, Chief Scientific Officer of the Company, the term of the MOU is one year renewable upon the mutual agreement of both parties. Where the UAE University intends to conduct scientific research and development in date palm project with the Date Palm Research andDevelopment Unit.

The third MOU: has been signed with Biotechnology Center of Georgia, which is a research institute, improvement and preservation of genetic resource of medicinal, aromatic and spicy plants. Medical and aroma plants, gene bank, germplasm, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Abdullah Saad Al Khanbashi, UAE University Vice Chancellor and Dr. Kakha Nadiradze, Director of Biotechnology Center of Georgia, Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. The purpose of this MOU is to develop a technical cooperation on the basis of equality and reciprocity and to promote relations and mutual understanding between two institutions. Where UAEU agrees to provide technology transfer from UAEU to BCG for setting up a tissue culture laboratory and any technical assistance in the field of Date Palm plants cultivation. BCG will be responsible for financing the services provided by UAEU. These services will include, but not limited to, consultation

services, site visits, training cost of BCG staff, program design/supervision andquality validation.

H.E. Dr. Abdullah Saad Al Khanbashi, UAE University Vice Chancellor announced that the three Memorandum of Understandings came as a practical translation of the directives of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research and Chancellor of UAE University in developing and growing the date palm sector all over the world through presenting the national expertise and know-how owned by UAE University represented by Date Palm Research & Development Unit to transfer it to thewhole world.

His Excellency the Vice Chancellor expressed his pleasure that UAE University became a globally reputed knowledge sharing center for Date Palm research, development and supply of planting material and services for tissue culture derived date palm plants and production of date palm tissue culture offshoots at the level of UAE by keeping pace with the science and building the knowledge-based society and provide theappropriate technology and all cutting- edge research in the field of tissue culture and improvement of genetics for datesvarieties in UAE.

Khalifa Bin Zayed gives 20000 date palm plants as a gift to Syria


Syrian Ministry of Agriculture received 20 thousand date palm plants a gift to sister-country Syria Arab Republic from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President. H.E. Salem Eisa Al Qattam Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador accredited to Syria, on Sunday April 11th, 2010 handed over the gift to the officials in the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Delivery was in Deir Al Zour International Airport, east of Syria in the presence of Eng. Hussein Arnous, Governor of Deir Al Zour City and representatives from Ministry of Agriculture in Syria, representatives from UNDP office in Syria and a number of Deir Al Zour Governorate and a large number of media representatives and journalists. Eng. Hussein Arnous Governor of Deir Al Zour and a number of officials in the Governorate expressed their deep appreciation and gratitude to the government, people of UAE for this generous gift that will contribute to the

fight against desertification and preserve the environment in the region.

UAE is one of the leading countries in date palm cultivation and number of date palm trees in UAE has jumped to reach 42 million date palm tree, more than 33 million tree in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi alone. UAE is ranked the sixth country of the top list of dates exporter countries according to a report by FAO. UAE has one of the most richest Tissue Culture laboratories in date palm cultivation to cultivate the best quality varieties. Date Palm Research and Development Unit of UAE University produces Tissue Culture offshoots from about 50 varieties of the best quality dates.

Date palm trees in UAE represent 20% of the total number worldwide, including 16.5 million productive date palms. UAE production of dates is about 757 tons in the season from 73 varieties from the best quality dates according to 2007 statistics.

Handed over by UAE Ambassador in Damascus to fight desertification and preserve the environment

Winning and distinguished works exhibition of “Date Palm Through the Eyes of World Competition 2010”The general Secretariat of Khalifa International Date Palm Award organized an exhibition illustrating the distinguished photos of“ Date Palm Through the Eyes of the World Competition ”2010 on the sideline of the Award Distribution Ceremony of Winners of Khalifa International Date Palm Award and the Inauguration of the Fourth International Date Palm Conference launched by the General Secretariat in collaboration with Abu Dhabi International Photographic Society( ADIPS )in the presence of the first three winners and a gathering of photography concerned people .The first ten winners in the competition were honored and certificates of recognition were granted to all participants.

It is worthy to note that the winning and

distinguished photos have left a good impact in the minds of participants of the competition and guests of the ceremony and the conference from across the world that encourages the Award General Secretariat to continue to support the competition and expand its frame of participation in its second session.

The General Secretariat also issued a glossy booklet and distributed it to all participants which included the winning and distinguished photos in addition to all names of participants )182 photographers representing 20 countries from all over the world )15 Arab countries and 5 foreign countries((, contested with 858 date palm and its products photos. Moreover, a group of greeting cards )postal cards( for the first ten winning photos in appreciation by the General Secretariat for the winners and their beautiful photos which received the appreciation and admiration of visitors, were also distributed to ceremony guests and the conference's participants.

In a move seen as a good gesture by guests and public


UAE University, Date Palm Research and Development Unit establishes Genetic Fingerprinting Laboratory With the directives and support of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak AL Nahayan, Unit launches Molecular Laboratory for identifying Date Palm varieties in UAE


With the directives and support of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of UAE University, the Date Palm Research and Development Unit of the UAE University launched a genetic fingerprinting molecular laboratory for identifying date palm varieties.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Director and Chief Technical Advisor of the unit stated in a press conference on occasion of the approaching opening ceremony of the Fourth International Date Palm Conference, to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, that the conference will be organized by the UAE University in collaboration with the

Khalifa International Date Palm Award and the Date Palm Friends Society on March 15, 2010 at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

“Currently the identification of date palm


varieties relies heavily on the recognition of a small number of morphological traits, mainly the fruit’s characteristics. These characteristics are very complex and are easily influenced by the environment. However, modern science offers a fast and accurate way of identifying date palm varieties: genetic fingerprinting”, Dr. Zaid added.

For this reason and further to the directives of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the UAE University, and with the support of H.E. Dr. Abdullah Saad Al Khanbashi, UAE University Vice Chancellor, the Date Palm Research and Development Unit of the UAE University added the genetic fingerprinting molecular laboratory to its facility in Al Ain city, as an advancing step towards keeping pace with modern science and developing a knowledge based society. The laboratory will assist the unit by monitoring the conformity of date palms, of which the unit produces 150, 000 annually, to ensure the quality

production of tissue culture date palms that conforms to standards and meets the needs of both local and international markets.

Dr. Zaid emphasized that DNA-based genetic fingerprinting methods are considered the most precise way to uniquely identify individual organisms, and that it is frequently and reliably used in forensic investigations and paternity testing. “We previously applied the genetic fingerprinting technique to tissue culture derived date palms produced by the DPRDU, and found the results very promising”. The use of this technology was approved by the unit and was specifically chosen because of its potential to solve many problems with date palm variety identification in the UAE; its ability to ensure that high quality, pathogen-free date palm varieties are produced; and is a technique that can also be utilized in the improvement of plants’ genetic characteristics.

The new laboratory will be focused on the use of a specific genetic fingerprinting technique, namely Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) in order to prove the true-to-typeness of the produced trees, and will feature all of the modern, high-tech equipment needed to perform the analysis. “This will enable us to assist clients, by providing them with rapid and accurate variety identification for date palms, if it is needed.” Dr. Zaid added.

The DPRDU, Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory was founded in 1989, and belongs to the UAE University. It receives the continuous support of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The DPTCL has reached its highly regarded status, thanks to the close supervision and leadership of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.


Khalifa International Date Palm Award honours Media Representatives

Khalifa International Date Palm Award organized an honoring ceremony in the mid day of April 13th, 2010 at Zayed University for Men in Abu Dhabi for Media Representatives who covered the activities of the Award second session 2010 and in particular the proceedings of the Fourth International Date Palm Conference held in Emirates Palace on March 15-17, 2010 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and presided over by H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award.

H.E. Dr. Abdullah Saad Al Khanbashi, UAE University Vice Chancellor and Dr. Ghaleb Al Hadrami, Dean of College of Food & Agriculture, Chairman of the Conference Scientific Committee and Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, the Award Secretary General were present during the honoring ceremony.

H.E. Dr. Al Khanbashi delivered a speech during the ceremony where he thanked the media people for their strenuous

efforts to cover the Award activities at the best way possible. “The Award gained a good reputation at all levels locally, regionally and internationally” Dr. Al Khanbashi pointed out. He also stressed the important role played by the different mass media in UAE to convey a clear and true picture of the events and activities of all ministries, public and private organizations. The Vice Chancellor reiterated the fact the relation with mass media is considered a real partnership with regard to the national development.

Then, Dr. Al Khanbashi, Dr. Al Hadrami and Dr. Zaid honored the media representatives from editors, photographers and their media organizations and granted them merit certificates for the efforts made to cover the Award activities and its conference to the public through the various means of media.

The General Secretariat organized a ceremony in the same manner to honor accredited media people in Al Ain city in appreciation for their efforts to support the Award throughout the whole year.


Production Unit gets ISO 9001:2008 Certificate

Date Palm Research and Development Unit gains a prestigious certification

In the context of UAE University interest to provide the highest quality and excellence standards in producing date palm tissue culture and with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of UAE University, Date Palm Research and Development Unit has attained an achievement to be added to its golden records in the journey to success and excellence as the Unit gained the International ISO certificate of 9001:2008.

This was announced in a press conference by Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Director and Chief Technical Advisor of the DPRDU. This certification is a highly esteemed, sought after qualification that assures the application of quality management systems. It is only attained after undergoing rigorous assessment and strict auditing by a certification body, with regards to following specified, standard management procedures. Moody International Certification Body has awarded UAEU, Date Palm Research and Development Unit ISO 9001:2008 certificate and it has also been registered against the World Quality Assurance Standards.

“This is truly a noteworthy achievement

by the unit, and we are immensely proud of it” Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid added. It worthy to note that, this is not the first such achievement that the DPRDU has attained. On 14 June, 2002, the DPRDU became ISO 9001:2000 certified, and was considered the only large scale date palm propagation unit in the world holding such a Quality Assurance Certificate. To maintain high standards set by the ISO certification requirements, it was decided to upgrade the certification to the ISO 9001:2008 standard. The DPRDU effectively achieved this, assuring clients that it will continue in the future to maintain its high standards of date palm production, customer satisfaction and quality management.

The DPRDU, Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory was founded in 1989, and belongs to the UAE University. It receives the continuous support of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The DPTCL has reached its highly-regarded status, thanks to the close supervision and leadership of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

“Namibian ripe dates available at dining tables in UAE during winter and spring seasons”, Dr. A. Khanbashi said.

With wise directives, UAE invests in date palm cultivation and production of dates

The private sector plays a significant role in moving forward the drive of sustainable development


Abu Dhabi, Private:With the royal directives and support given by the wise leadership headed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, the UAE continues its efforts to support all food security programs around the world in collaboration with all relevant international organizations in particular those related to date palm cultivation and dates production. That was evident in the country markets and the Arabian Gulf region recently where Dahra Agricultural Company provided the best varieties of world ripe dates for local consumer during the two months of February and March (Khalas, Burhi, Khienizi, Abu Faqous,


etc) and others as these varieties are not available in the country markets during this period of time of the year. That is because the UAE dates do not come ripe yet before the month of June and the start of summer season. The availability of ripe dates in winter season is a good omen and a sign of optimism and in the meantime a delightful product for UAE nationals and the Arabian Gulf region in general.

This came in an announcement by Dr. Abdullah Saad Al-Khanbashi, UAE University Vice Chancellor on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the Fourth International Date Palm Conference which was honored by the Royal Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and the presence of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of UAE University and Chairman of Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award. “UAE invested for many years in date palm cultivation and dates production in Namibia in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), under the supervision of Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, the Chief Technical Adviser / Project Director, UNDP who is currently the Secretary General of Khalifa International Date Palm Award and Chairman of the Organizing Committee

of the Fourth International Date Palm Conference”, the Vice Chancellor referred.

“In this field many private agricultural companies have invested in collaboration with the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture where the cultivated area amounted 100 hectares in the beginning of date palm cultivation and dates production project and the business is going very active by Dahra Agricultural Company to develop this project and its total area is now 300 hectares cultivated with the best ripe dates and delightful dates by the people

of this region. He considered that this type of investment as a support to the efforts aiming at re-distribution of the agricultural production between North and South of the Earth, due to the special importance of the countries in the South in agricultural investment in all different aspects and in particular the date palm cultivation and dates production, seeking to achieve self-sufficiency in date production in particular and food security in general”, Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid added.

Hamdan Bin Zayed inaugurates the First Agricultural Exhibition Liwa 2010


Khalifa International Date Palm Award participated with a special booth in the first Agricultural Exhibition in Liwa City during the period April 8-10, 2010. The Award presented a show of its most important works, categories and it was a great opportunity to catch up with Western Region date palm growers and dates producers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi where all types of the Award publications and the Blessed Tree Magazine were distributed to visitors and companies.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of Ruler in Western Region, inaugurated the First Agricultural Exhibition in Liwa City on Thursday April 8th, 2010 which was organized by

Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority with a generous patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. During the inauguration ceremony, His Highness opened the Growers Service Center in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which will contribute to a qualitative move in the services rendered to the growers and is considered to be a start-up for all agricultural projects in all remote areas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The inauguration ceremony was attended by many VIPs and dignitaries in addition to guests, visitors and farm owners in the different places in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Effective interaction for Khalifa Award with Western Region date palm growers and dates producers

Under the patronage of Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

"The Blessed Tree" Sets the Foundation forSpecialized Scientific Information in Emirates

In the first year we published 75 scientific papers from 28 countries around the world

Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid: “We strengthened the leading role of UAE and entered the second year with even greater responsibility”.


In a series of successes achieved by the General Secretariat of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award in its second year in a row, at the local, regional and international levels, the Award has provided palm lovers with an important source of specialized scientific knowledge in the field of cultivation of date palm and production of dates in the Arab region, through publication of the first quarterly specialized scientific magazine, which targets researchers, academicians, farmers and lovers of the blessed tree across the world.

H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, blessed the efforts made by the General Secretariat of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award


in making the "blessed tree" the first specialized scientific magazine of its kind in the Arab world, where all its topics are of high scientific quality, related to date palm trees, in both Arabic and English, thus making it a reference for scientific and technical professionals locally and globally.

As Honorary President of the magazine, His Highness expressed the deep relationship between the people of UAE and that blessed tree throughout history. Since old and until today, the palm tree, with its loftiness, continues to represent the pride and honor of the people of UAE, as it has always been a symbol of life and renewed abundance.

Amid clear government interest in the cultivation, manufacturing and marketing of date palm trees, under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (may God protect him) and the support of His Highness Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as well as the close follow up of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, the Blessed Tree magazine came to meet the needs of the local market of farmers, producers, merchants and researchers alike.

This was acknowledged in a press statement made by Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, during the launch of the first volume and after one year of publishing the blessed tree magazine, which was published by the Information Committee of the General Secretariat of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award. The Volume included four distinct issues (in a deluxe pack), which contained many outstanding scientific research to enrich the Arabic library.

As the "Blessed Tree" successfully enters its second year, it carries a big scientific and technical responsibility towards the target groups for many reasons. The first of these responsibilities is the fact that it represents the Foundation of Khalifa International Date Palm Award, thus carrying a dear and precious name to our hearts, namely, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE (may God protect him). That is a great honor for us and a responsibility on our shoulders that we ask God Almighty to help us perform our mission so that we can spread the science and knowledge relevant to the date palm tree to all who need it.

In an analytical reading of the content of the four magazines in the first year, Engineer Emad Saad, Head of the Media Committee of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, noted that the first issue has included 9 research papers in Arabic, representing 4 Arab countries, and 5 research papers in English, representing 4 Western states. Moreover, the second issue has included 16 research papers in Arabic, representing 10 Arab countries, and 5 research papers in English, representing 5 Western states. The third issue has contained 12 papers in Arabic, representing 7 Arab countries, and 7 research papers in English, representing 7 Western states. The fourth issue has

contained 15 research papers in Arabic, representing 5 Arab countries, and 6 research papers in English, representing 4 Western states. Thus, the total scientific research papers related to date palm tree in Arabic in the 1st Volume totaled reached 47, representing 14 Arab countries, and 22 English research papers, representing 14 Western countries. The sum total of what was published in the 1st Volume, therefore, amounted to 69 researches, in both Arabic and English, representing 28 countries around the world.

In conclusion, the Secretary-General of the Award, Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, General Supervisor of the “Blessed Tree" magazine, stressed the fact that the Media Committee has made a quantum leap and an outstanding achievement in the field of scientific information that is specialized in date palm tree in the Arab world. Consequently, the Committee now has a greater challenge to maintain this success and become more superior in communicating its scientific message to specialists and those who need it in all parts of the world, in order to achieve the objectives of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, which promote the role of UAE and its wise leadership in supporting the scientific research of palm trees and spreading a culture of interest in date palm at the local, regional and international levels.

The Fourth International Date Palm Exhibition

Under the Patronage of Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan

Al Ain City20-24 / 10 / 2010

It provides a great opportunity to exchange experiences and views among producers and specialized scholars in date palm cultivation and dates production worldwide: Dr. Abdelouhhab Zaid


Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, the UAE University, in collaboration with Khalifa International Date Palm Award, Date Palm Friends Society, and Date Palm Global Network, did take the initiative to organize this Fourth International Date Palm Exhibition

organize the Fourth International Date Palm Exhibition in Al Ain, UAE during the period 20 – 24 October, 2010.

The Exhibition aims to access the present situation of date cultivation and identify the best date varieties including the rare varieties. Identify the constraints facing date producers and processors and propose the appropriate solutions. Encourage


the date p r o d u c t i o n

and marketing sectors, and identify their

respective priorities. Display dates by-products and tissue culture derived plants along with the appropriate technical practices. Exchange of know-how and information between date growers, processors, in and outside UAE.

H.E. Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Date Palm Award and Head of Organizing Committee of the Exhibition stated that with directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Chancellor of UAE University

and Chairman Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award, we are working as one teamwork with competent authorities to organize the UAE International Date Palm Exhibition in its fourth edition in the green city of Al Ain (Oasis city). Also this exhibition shows the special attention attached by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, UAE President to this important economic sector and the support of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu

Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, Chairman of the Executive Council.

Dr. Zaid added that The present event is the fourth one in a series of international exhibition organized by UAE during the last six years. Indeed, the first exhibition was held in Al Ain during 23 – 25 December, 2004, the second one was during 7 – 11 November, 2006, followed by the third during 22 – 26 October, 2008. UAE International Fourth Exhibition for date palm and dates shall provide a valuable opportunity for experiences and views exchange among producers, specialist scholars in date palm cultivation and dates production around the globe. It is worthy to mention that UAE is attaching a special care to date palm due to its close connection with the comprehensive development. UAE also has made enormous efforts to

spread date palm cultivation at the national level which thought of the importance of the blessed tree and the strategic importance of date palm and dates sector with its various aspects production and processing. Therefore the UAE University, in collaboration with Khalifa International Date Palm Award, Date Palm Friends Society, and Date Palm Global Network will host this exhibition in cooperation with producers and dates processing companies and all


specialized organizations and institutions in and outside UAE.

According to the official statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the annual world date production had exceeded the six million tons in 2007. Date fruits are considered an ideal food source and contain several main nutrients such as sugar, amino acids, oligo elements and proteins. Calorie wise dates contain three times the energy provided by

watermelon, four times of apples and seven times of oranges.

Exhibition Activities:

Date varieties display, Date by-products exhibit, Date Palm Tissue Culture Exhibit, Photos and artistic exhibit, Accompanying Symposia, Exhibition of date cultivation technologies, Health and Nutritional benefits of dates, Date Heritage display, Scientific journals, books and bulletins, Specialized Film shows and Exhibition of date processing equipment.

Participants in the Exhibition:

Date growers, Experts in date palm cultivation, Specialists in date processing and marketing, Representatives and experts from various ministries of agriculture of date growing countries and Representatives from scientific institutions and international organizations.

Scientific Symposia:

The Exhibition shall be accompanied a set of symposia and scientific specialized seminars to shed light on date palm cultivation worldwide in general and in UAE in particular with a focus on propagation technologies, production, fighting diseases, pests and hardships that face dates processing and marketing.

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The work is undergoing tirelessly to make the exhibition in its fourth session is a success story

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khaled Al KhalifaDate Palm is our subsistence and a message of love and peace to the world.



A veteran in love of date palm and its people witnessed the establishment of the Kingdom of Bahrain and hold many positions in the sector of Agriculture and Municipalities. He contributed significantly to the date palm cultivation across the kingdom of Bahrain until its number exceeded one million date palm trees and was widely known as the one-million-date-palm country. He helped to move the cultivation of date palm from farms into every home and each villa of Bahraini nationals whether they are growers or not. A date palm for him was and stills the man’s resort in good and bad times, in peace and in war in love and life. He is H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Isa Cultural Centre in the Kingdom of Bahrain. We were honored to meet with him in the Capital Abu Dhabi where he was selected among the honored figures by His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award during the Award Distribution Ceremony of the Award in its second session on March 15, 2010 convened in Emirates Palace.

What does a date palm mean to you?

Date palm is a blessed tree and means a lot to me. I first knew date palm when I was only seven years old when my father’s estate was distributed to his inherits and my share was two date palm orchards in Sitra Island which is famous of its shady date palm trees (along the eastern coast of Bahrain Island). Being still young in age, my grandfather (from my mother side) was running my estate; he also owned some farms in Sitra Island. He took me with him in the motorboat and when we arrived my grandfather ordered one of the farmers to take me to my date palm trees and to pull and cut male date palm trees. The farmer took me to the date palm trees and started to clear and clean the male date palm trees and I was sitting


next to him watching what he is doing when he cut the fronds and branches to clear out the pulp which is the core of the date palm tree and after the tree was cut and the pulp began to be clear he began to cut tinny parts from it and gave them to me to taste it and I was happy for what I was watching and eating from the pulp. After he cleaned the pulp and wrapped it and put it in fronds and I carried it with me back where my grandfather and his friends were sitting then we went

back to Al Muhrraq and I took the pulp with me.

Since when did you start to be interested in date palm cultivation and dates production?

“When I reached the legal age: I took responsibility of running my estate by

myself where my estate has increased because my mother granted me the date palm trees she inherited from my father” His Highness continued

his narration. I did give date palm trees

all my attention and I used to go to Sitra Island regularly to take care

of it and serve it especially if

the season of o ff s h o o t s

c u t t i n g a n d

planting and follow up the Palm farmer and supervise his work from watering date palm trees to cleaning date palm watering canals, pathways and take care of drainage tunnels and clean them to reduce level of groundwater which in turn benefits date palm trees a lot if the level of groundwater is reduced. I was very keen about these date palm trees because I depend on them in livelihood and the future of my kids.

What are your main stops and achievements that you presented to the Blessed Tree in the Kingdom of Bahrain?

This interest and being passionate about date palm, my education and gained information to take care of it, cultivate it, maintain it and serve it helped me a lot when I became the Minister of Agriculture and Municipalities after independence in 1971. I did encourage the people of Bahrain to grow date palm in their homes as I noticed that water resources in Bahrain are fading away and most of wells that water date palm will dry out, therefore I encouraged people to plant date palm in their homes and I was right most wells are now dry and many date palm trees died as a result of that and people started to cultivate date palm in their homes to the extent that you hardly find a home without date palm which they use to get ripe dates during summer.

From the main stops in the life of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalid Al Khalifa in service of date palm and appreciation of those involved in its cultivation is holding the first scientific seminar titled (Date Palm is a life and civilization) on the occasion of inaugurating the first cultural season of Isa Cultural Centre during the period from 23-24 November 2009 in the capital Manama. Choosing date palm as the theme of the first scientific seminar is undoubtedly based on the importance of date palm being one of the significant elements of cultural, thought, religious and national heritage in the Kingdom of Bahrain.


This seminar which included some of the best scholars and specialists at the Arab level wanted to convey a message that date palm represents fro us a lifestyle and a civilization that we love and live it all the time. The seminar discussed the historical, religious, scientific and economical dimensions related to date palm, as it represented the backbone of life in Arabian Peninsula in general and in Bahrain in particular. On the sideline of the seminar a large professional exhibition was held for handcraft products of date palm parts (fronds, branches, trunk, …) and related to the life of life of man in general in the past and continue to prove its necessity in the present.

This seminar comes in the context of the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister and HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander to revive the heritage which is seen as the strong base to ensure the substantiality of development.

How do you estimate the current situation of date palm cultivation and dates production in the Kingdom of Bahrain?

Allah the Almighty mentioned in the Holy Book (We made from water every living thing), this why the government of Bahrain has been very keen to find innovative solutions and modern methods to make use of all different types of water. The government recruited many international scientific experts in the fields of wastewater recycling and water refinery through the tri or quarto method to get suitable water for agriculture away from any scientific error in this regard.

Water is a national treasure whatever its type, we can make use of it to serve the programs of sustainable development. Therefore, we in the Kingdom of Bahrain believe that technical authorities concerned tried to clean and refine the

wastewater and pump it back though irrigation networks in agricultural areas to keep and maintain the agricultural sector in Bahrain and date palm cultivation. Now we can see date palms are cultivated along the road sides and this is a good indicator for the country until they are spread all over the Kingdom of Bahrain which is known as the country of Million date palms. The government is doing strenuous efforts to maintain the cultivation of date palms in the Kingdom of Bahrain, but also set out expansion plans to cultivate date palm although the number of date palm are in regular deterioration. In a time when Kingdom of Bahrain was famous of one million date palms, number of date palms began to decrease until it reached 700 thousands date palm due to the drying out wells. Nowadays we see strenuous efforts are made to get the prestigious position of Bahrain in date palm cultivation and dates production. Date palm is a national tree which holds and implies a message of love and peace to world people.

What does the prize of Khalifa International Date Palm Award represent to you – what does your winning the prize of the distinguished figure in the second session represent to you?

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Isa Cultural Center replied that it is a recognition from generous people, as I confess that the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the greatest man to serve date palm and he devoted his life to cultivate it and take care of it until number of date palms in our sister-country UAE more than 40 million date palms, thanks to the effort of Sheikh Zayed who his successor His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President pursued his father steps and ordered to establish Khalifa International Date Palm Award to encourage those involved in date palm cultivation sector and recognize their efforts and to continue their work in the

service of date palm. Allah will reward him. I also would like to thank H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of Board of Trustees for the great effort made for taking care of date palm and presiding over the Khalifa International Date Palm Award. I am really honored to be recognized by this prize in its second session. All mercy for late Sheikh Zayed and wish his children and successors all the best.

My advice for the coming generations to keep and maintain date palm and to take care of it because it is a source of subsistence and as long as it is there and taking care of you will depend on it in times of starvations and wars, as it carry a dual message of love and peace for all world. To conclude Allah bliss UAE and protect it and always enjoys prosperity, well-being, proud and peace.

Characterization of Iraqi Zahdi Date Pits

Khalidah A. Jaafar Chemical Engineer, MSc, Edrici Center for

Engineering consultations, Sulaimani, [email protected]

Robert M. BaldwinPrincipal Scientist and Group Manager,

Thermochemical Process R&D and Biorefinery Analysis, National Bioenergy

Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Golden, CO, USA


AbstractDate palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pits of Iraqi Zahdi variety were examined for compositional analysis and biomass value assessment. Samples of dried pits were analyzed for water soluble sugars, wax & chlorophyll (Ethanol extractives) and total inorganic ash content. Structural sugars were also measured to evaluate the date pits as a biomass resource for food or bio-energy. Total lignin was found to form 15.32% mainly acid-soluble lignin, and structural sugars content was 59.87% mainly Arabinose (51.6%). The finding of high Arabinose in these materials is quite unusual and had never been characterized for Iraqi or other dates before. Pyrolysis of date pits powder at 500 oC with 100oC/min heating rate was found to produce a mixture of hydrocarbon and oxygenated

compounds including fatty acids; approximately 75% by weight of the date pits was found to be volatile in the thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) used for the pyrolysis experiments.

Keywords: Date palm, date pits, Arabinose, Phoenix dactylifera L.

IntroductionDate palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a principal agricultural product in Middle East and North Africa region. Dates are available in huge abundance yielding about 3,316,500 tons of palm secondary products per year including palm midribs, leaves, stems and fronds (Taha, Steuernagel, & Ziemann, 2006). In Iraq, 9 million trees cover the middle and southern parts of the country, resulting in


a surplus production of dates and other secondary biomass such as leaves and sheath.

Research into dates has not been a true reflection of the importance and potential of this crop (Ismail, Haffar, Baalbaki, Mechref & Henry, 2006). There have been many investigations on the chemical composition and the physical characteristics of dates (Al-Baker, 1972; Imad, Abdul Wahab & Robinson 1995; Hamada, Hashim, and Sharif 2002; Al-Shahib and Marshal, 2003; Besbes, Blecker, Deroanne, Drira, and Attia, 2004; Ismail, Haffar, Baalbaki, Mechref and Henry 2006; Chaira, Ferchichi, Mrabet and Sghairoun, 2007; Bendahou, Dufresne, Kaddami, Habibi, 2007; Ismail, Haffar, Baalbaki, and Henry, 2008; Rao, Jagannadha, Madhusweta and Das, 2008; Saafi, Trigui, Thabet, Hammami & Achour,2008). The previous studies have investigated the extractable value-added components for food functioning and nutrition. Research interest in utilization of date pulp ingredients for pharmaceutical purposes has lead to the examination of date fruits for minerals, proteins and antioxidant agents (Elgasim, Al-Yousef, and Humeida, 1995; Vayalil, 2002; Pillay, Williams, El-mardi, Hassan and Al-Hamdi, 2005; Mansouri, Embarek, Kokkalou, Kefalas, 2005).

This study aims to determine structural sugars and lignin in Iraqi Zahdi date pits. In addition, a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted to investigate the composition of the condensable pyrolysis oil products. Samples of condensable products from pyrolysis were analyzed with GC-MS to determine qualitatively the composition of the volatile products.

Materials and methodsDate fruit source and Sample preparationFor the purpose of this research, fruits of Zahdi date variety less than 12 months from harvest were collected from local market of Baghdad area. Zahdi is the most common date variety in Iraq. It constitutes 55% of the palm trees in the country.

The abundance of this variety has made it widely used in food processing such as vinegar and date molasses (Debis, in Arabic). The waste biomass is usually disposed to the landfill and some of the pits are used for animal food.

Date pits (DP) were separated from pulp and rinsed with water, vacuum oven dried at 40 oC overnight, then milled with a heavy duty grinder to pass a 0.599 mm (30 mesh) screen. Samples were stored at room temp for later analysis. Storage temperature was consistent with usual postharvest practices of dates in the area. The relative humidity in the lab was kept at less than 50%.

Chemical composition analysisAll compositional analysis and test procedures were performed according to the Standard Biomass Analytical Methods provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Total Solids & Ash contentSamples of 0.3 -1.0 g from DP were tested for total solids content using the IR method (METLER TOLEDO HR83). For comparison, total solid content was also measured by convection oven method, after drying overnight at 105 oC. At the same time, another set of samples was tested for ash content by pre-ignition with a Bunsen burner followed by ashing in a muffle furnace at 575 oC. Ashed samples were then dried to constant weight.

Non-structural extractivesNREL standard testing procedures for measuring cellulosic, hemicellulosic and lignin constituents in biomass samples requires removing soluble non-structural materials such as sucrose, glucose, chlorophyll and waxes prior to structural composition analysis. Therefore, same samples were maintained through consecutive testing procedures of non-structural then structural composition analysis. Auto ASE 200 accelerated solvent extractor from DIONEX was used to extract water-soluble sugars and ethanol-soluble materials. Samples of 1.5 g were placed in cells for extraction with HPLC

grade water then with 190 proof USP grade ethyl alcohol. Extraction program parameters were 1500 psi and 100 oC. The extractive-free biomass samples were removed from extraction cells and allowed to air dry overnight for structural composition analysis.

Water-soluble extract solutions were diluted to 50 ml in the collection tubes. A 5 ml sample was removed to determine sucrose and glucose by the YSI analyzer equivalent sucrose quantification method. The YSI uses two membranes, one that is reactive for Dextrose and one that is reactive for Fructose. Final calculations of Sucrose and Glucose are made based on a single point measurement of a calibration solution using a base line current established with buffer salt solution prior to calibration. Standard solutions used to calibrate the instrument were 5% sucrose, 25% sucrose, 9% glucose and DIW. The remaining of water-soluble extracts and ethanol-soluble extract tubes were placed in a Nitrogen evaporator with water bath at 40oC for overnight drying. After 24 hrs, collection tubes were placed overnight in a vacuum oven at 40 oC and 15 psi vacuum for further drying. Net weight of dried water extract represents sucrose and glucose content in the biomass. The amount of Ethanol-soluble extracts was


also determined gravimetrically.

Structural composition analysisHydrolysis of extractive-free biomassStructural carbohydrates and lignin combine a major part of biomass. Carbohydrates are extracted by a two stage hydrolysis process after removal of extractive constituents. Samples of 300 mg portions from dried extractive-free biomass were placed in 100 ml glass pressure tubes. A 3 ml aliquot of 72% w/w sulfuric acid from Fluka #00647 was added to each tube. The reaction tubes were placed in 30 oC water bath for 1 hour and stirred every five to ten minutes. The tubes were then removed and brought to a total volume of 87 ml with de-ionized water bringing the acid concentration to 4%. Immediately, pressure tubes were sealed and put into one hour liquid cycle Autoclave at 121 oC. A set of sugar recovery standards (SRS) were treated in the same manner and put into the autoclave cycle. The SRS provides for the calculation of a loss-factor which is used as an adjustment in the calculation of final structural sugars. When the 4% acid hydrolyzates were cooled to room

temperature, samples were filtered through a set of 2 µm filtering crucibles by vacuum. A 50 ml filtrate of each sample was stored at 4 oC for further analysis.

Lignin DeterminationAcid soluble lignin content was measured by UV analysis of samples from hydrolyzates filtrate. Absorbance was measured with HP 8453 UV Vis at wavelength 240 using 1 cm quartz cuvette. Dilution ratio was determined when 0.7-1.0 absorption reading was obtained. The acid insoluble residues collected in the filtering crucibles were dried overnight at 105 oC in a convection oven to determine the acid-insoluble solids percentage which represents the acid insoluble lignin, proteins and ash in the solid residue of hydrolyzate. Ash content was calculated by weighing the remaining of furnace dried solid residue at 575 oC for constant weight. Ash value was subtracted from the total lignin measurement.

Structural Sugars determinationFive ml samples of the 4% acid hydrolysis filtrate were neutralized with Calcium Carbonate, filtered with 2 µm filters and

run on HPLC system equipped with refractive index detection using a Biorad Aminex HPX-87H column. Sugar recovery standards of high purity were used for the analysis combining D-cellobiose, D(+)glucose, D(+)xylose, D(+)galactose, L(+)arabinose, and D(+)mannose. The amount (wt %) of structural sugars was then determined using set of correction factors per NREL procedures.

Thermogravimetric analysis of date pitsSamples of dry matter from date pits were pyrolyzed using a CAHN TG-131 TGA. Samples were heated up to a maximum temperature of 500 oC at three different heating rates: 5, 20, and 100 oC/min. The carrier gas was nitrogen at flow rate 50 ml/min. Samples of date pits between 55 – 125 mg were placed in the sample container without any pretreatment. The resulting condensates were collected by a silica gel trap at the outlet of the vent from the hang-down tube. Different solvents were tried to dissolve the collected condensates, including 2 ml of Methyl alcohol then Acetone as polar solvents and Hexane as a non polar solvent. The dissolved pyrolysis oil condensates were submitted for analysis by GC/MS.

Determination of solvent extractives composition A GC/MS analysis of the condensed pyrolysis oils was performed on the collected solvent extractives using a HP 6800 Gas Chromatograph Mass Selective Detector with a 30 m x 250 µm x 0.5 µm DB Wax column. Library searches for component matching were performed using the NIST98 database.

Results and discussionChemical Composition of date pitsTotal solid content of date pits was found to be 98.06%. All other analysis results are based on dry weight basis.

Non-structural extractives and ash content

The amount of water-soluble extractives,

52 - 53


ethanol-extractives (wax and chlorophyll) and inorganic ash content in samples of date pits (DP) are listed in Table 1. Water-soluble sugars were 3.77%, wax 9.79% and 1.19% ash. The remaining 7.32% of water-soluble extract composition was not analyzed in this study. It is most likely to be soluble proteins and nitrate/nitrite matter. Al-Baker (1972) found that Iraqi date pits constitute of 5.22% protein and 1.12% ash. Hamada et al (2002), Besbes et al (2004), Chaira et al. (2007) and Saafi et al (2008) have reported similar values for protein content in date pits.

Structural composition analysisLignin DeterminationLignin is a complex phenolic polymer which bonds the cellulosic and hemicellulosic fibers together in plants. In biomass analysis, lignin is quantified as acid-soluble and acid-non soluble fractions. Table (1) presents the soluble and insoluble lignin content measured for date pits. Total lignin content was found to be 15.32% by weight.

Structural Carbohydrates (Cellulosic and hemicellulosic saccharides)Cellulosic and hemicellulosic sugars were determined after removing non-structural sugars; results are shown in Table (1). Date pits monosaccharides analysis showed 5.39% Glucose, 0.91% Xylose, 1.97% Galactose, and 51.60% Arabinose. No Fructose was found. The very high content of Arabinose is noteworthy and suggests that date pits may be a good potential source of this sugar. Ishrud et al. (2001) have isolated polysaccharide glucomannan from date seeds in a 93:7 molar ratio mannose to glucose, the two derivative sugars from Arabinose. However they did not measure the Arabinose content in the date pits.

From Table (1), the total biomass compositional analysis of the date pits resulted in 63.64% total carbohydrates on dry basis which translates to 62.8% for

wet matter. This result is in consistency with Al-Baker (1972) results of 62.51% carbohydrates. The remaining 3.8% of total composition is suggested to be protein that we did not measure in this study.

Thermogravimetric TGA and GC analysisIt is known that Iraqi date pits contain a substantial amount of oil (8.49%), that makes this material a good food blend for animals in date producing countries (Al-Baker, 1972). Recently, lipid fractions of date pits were subjected to characterization and isolation. Besbes et al. (2004) measured fat content of two date cultivar pits. Their results showed 10.19-12.67% fat. Saafi et al. (2008) found 8.33% fat in a mixture of date pits of differing varieties.

In this study, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was conducted to determine the amount and composition of the volatile

fraction that could be obtained under pyrolysis conditions. Samples were heated in flowing nitrogen at 100 oC/min heating rate to a maximum temperature of 500 oC. There was a weight reduction of 75.46% of the total biomass found after pyrolysis.

GC-MS analysis was used to qualitatively determine the composition of the pyrolysis oil. Using different solvents to collect the produced condensate resulted in slightly different spectra patterns. The qualitative spectrum of pyrolysis oil dissolved with pure Methyl alcohol is shown in Figure (1). Similar compound classes were found for samples dissolved in Acetone and n-Hexane. Compounds identified in the methanol extract are shown in Table 2. Components identified in the acetone and hexane extracts are shown in Table 3. One of the common compounds identified in the pyrolysis oil extracts in three solvents was D-Allose at a retention

Composition wt/wt %a Total wt/wt %a

Water-extractives 11.09

Water-soluble sugars 3.77

Ethanol Extractives 9.79

Total LigninAcid-insoluble lignin 12.56

15.32

Acid-soluble lignin 2.76

Structural ash 0.26

Total inorganic ash 1.19

Total Structural Sugars 59.87

Glucose 5.39

Xylose 0.91

Galactose 1.97

Arabinose 51.60

Fructose 0.00

Table (1): Chemical composition of Iraqi Zahdi date pits.

a As wt% of dry matter.


time 14.75 min which is a rare sugar in nature. Although the library search for spectrum peaks identification has given other alternatives to this peak as well, it is imperative to consider this result for further investigation on characterization, identification and isolation procedures of this sugar from date pits. The importance of this finding comes from the recent medical investigations that proved the inhibiting activity of D-Allose on many carcinoma cells in human body.

ConclusionsThe abundance of Arabinose sugar that was identified in date pits, reveals the importance of this natural matter as a good source for this sugar. Pyrolysis of date pits powder at 500 oC with 100oC/min heating rate has produced a blend of oil compounds, fatty acids and other constituents knowing that approximately 75% of sample weight was transformed into volatile matter. Further characterization and quantitative analysis of pyrolysis oil extracts are strongly recommended.

AcknowledgementThis work was carried out in the laboratories of the National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, Colorado, USA). The authors would like to thank the technicians in the compositional analysis lab; Ryan Ness, Jim Stunkel and William Michener for their assistance with the experimental analysis. Helpful comments from Dr. Ed Wolfrum are also gratefully acknowledged.

REFERENCES1. Al-Baker, A. (1972). (Arabic). Date Palm,

past, present, the new in agriculture, industry and trade. Al-Ani Press, Baghdad, 286-287.

2. Al-Shahib, W. & Marshall, R.J. (2003). Fatty acid content of the seeds from 14 varieties of date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. Int’l J Food Sci. & Tech, 38, 709–712.

3. Bendahou, A., Dufresne, A., Kaddami, H., & Habibi, Y. (2007). Isolation

and structural characterization of hemicelluloses from palm of Phoenix dactylifera L. Carbohydrate Polymers, 68, 601–608.

4. Besbes, S., Blecker, C., Deroanne, C., Drira, N., & Attia, H. (2004). Date seeds: chemical composition and characteristic profiles of the lipid fraction. Food Chemistry, 84, 577–584.

5. Chaira, N., Ferchichi, A., Mrabet, A. & Sghairoun, M. (2007). Chemical composition of the flesh and the pit of the date palm fruit and radical scavenging activity of their extracts. Pakistan journal of biological sciences, Jul 1, 10(13), 2202-2007.

6. D’Alonzo, D., Guaragna, A., Napolitano, C. & Palumbo, G. (2008). Rapid Access to 1,6-Anhydro-_-L-hexopyranose Derivatives via Domino Reaction: Synthesis of L-Allose and L-Glucose. J. Org. Chem. 73, 5636–5639.

7. Elgasim, E. A., Al-Yousef, Y. A., & Humeida, A. M. (1995). Possible hormonal activity of date pits and flesh fed to meat animals. Food Chemistry, 52, 149–152.

8. Hamada, J.S., Hashim, I.B., & Sharif, F.A. (2002). Preliminary analysis and potential uses of date pits in foods. Food Chemistry, 76, 135–137

9. Imad A. A., Abdul Wahab K. A. and Robinson, R.K. (1995). Chemical composition of date varieties as influenced by the stage of ripening. Food Chemistry, 54, 305-309.

10. Ishrud, O., Zahid, M., Zhou, H., & Pan, Y. (2001). A water-soluble galactomannan from the seeds of Phoenix dactylifera L.Carbohydrate Research, 335, 297–301.

11. Ishrud, O., Zgheel, F., Kermagi, A., Flefla, M., & Elmabruk, M. (2004). Antitumor activity of β-D-glucan from Libyan dates. J. Medicinal Food. 7 (2004) 2: 252-255.

12. Ismail, B., Haffar, I., Baalbaki, R., & Henry, J. (2008). Physico-chemical

Solvent TIC name RT Relative Abundance1

Methanol

2- propanone, 1-hydroxy 3.36 H

Toluene 5.60 H

Furfural 7.35 H

2-Furanmethanole 7.87 H

2-Furanethanole 9.58 H

2-Furancarboxaldehyde, 5-methyl- 9.66 H

Phenol 9.90 H

Cyclopentasiloxane, decamethyl - 11.97 L

D-Allose 14.84 H

Dodecanoic acid 15.74 H

Tetradecanoic acid 17.26 L

n-Hexadecanoic acid 18.71 L

9-Octadecenoic acid 20.16 L

Table 2: Relative Abundance of Compounds in Pyrolysis Oil Methanol Extract

1- H = high; L = low

54 - 55


characteristics and sensory quality of two date varieties under commercial and industrial storage conditions. LWT 41, 896–904.

13. Ismail, B., Haffar, I., Baalbaki, R., Mechref, Y. & Henry, J. (2006). Physico-chemical characteristics and total quality of five date varieties grown in the United Arab Emirates. Int’l J Food Sci. and Tec., 41, 919–926.

14. Mansouri, A., Embarek, G., Kokkalou, E. & Kefalas, P. (2005). Phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of the Algerian ripe date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera). Food Chemistry, 89, 411–420.

15. Pillay, A.E., Williams, J.R., El-Mardi, M.O., Hassan, S.M., & Al-Hamdi, A. (2005). Boron and the alternate-bearing phenomenon in the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). Journal of Arid Environments, 62, (2) 199-207.

16. Rao, P.V.K. Jagannadha, Das, Madhusweta & Das, S. K. (2008). Thermophysical Properties of Sugarcane, Palmyra Palm, and Date-palm Granular Jaggery, Int’l J Food Properties, 11(4) 876 -886.

(DOI: 10.1080/10942910701671281)

17. Saafi, E.B., Trigui, M., Thabet, R., Hammami, M. & Achour, L. (2008). Common date palm in Tunisia: chemical composition of pulp and pits. Int’l J Food Sci. & Tech., 43, 2033-2037.

18. Taha, I., Steuernagel, L. & Ziemann, G. (2006). Chemical modification of Date Palm Mesh Fibers for Reinforcement of Polymeric Materials, Part I: examination of Different Cleaning Methods. J. Org. Polymers, 14 (8), 767-778.

19. VAYALIL, P. K. (2002). Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Properties of Aqueous Extract of Date Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L. Arecaceae). J. Agric. Food Chem., 50, 610-617.

Solvent TIC name RT Relative Abundance1

Acetone

Toluene 5.63 L

Furfural 7.33 L

2-Pentanone, 4-Hydroxy-4-methyl- 7.52 L

2-Furancarboxaldehyde, 5-methyl- 9.65 L

Phenol 9.89 L

Cyclopentasiloxane, decamethyl - 11.97 L

D-Allose 14.75 L

4-Cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl- 15.22 L

Dodecanoic acid 15.72 L

Tetradecanoic acid 17.25 L

Benzoic acid 18.93 L

n-Hexadecanoic acid 20.52 L

9-Octadecenoic acid 21.03 L

n-Hexane

Propane, 2,2-dimethoxy- 2.96 L

Butane, 2,2, 3,3-tetramethyl- 3.47 H

Heptane 3.72 L

Toluene 5.6 H

Octane 6.53 L

2-Pentanone, 4-Hydroxy-4-methyl- 7.51 L

Cyclopentasiloxane, decamethyl- 11.97 L

D-Allose 14.73 L

Hexadecanoic acid 20.52 L

Propanoic acid 22.13 L

Table 3: Relative Abundance of Compounds in Pyrolysis Oil Acetone and n-Hexane Extract

1- H= high; L= low

Figure 1. GC/MS Analysis of Pyrolysis Oil dissolved in Methyl alcohol.

Deformed Date Palm Leaves as Religious Symbols and in Dried Floral Arrangements

Dennis V. Johnson3726 Middlebrook Ave

Cincinnati OH 45208 USA

Email: [email protected]


The date palm crown is composed of as many as 125 leaves of various ages, with up to 26 new leaves being produced each year (Zaid 2002). Occasionally

a new young leaf may not be able to emerge to grow normally, becoming constricted by older more developed leaves in the crown or among offshoots

Figure 1. Deformed date palm leaf, or possibly an inflorescence, (center, middle ground) on a producing Medjool cultivar tree. Photo: Baruch Glazer.


at the base of the tree. Crowding of the leaf causes abnormal stunted growth, with the leaf curving in on itself rather than extending. These abnormal leaves may grow to about to about 9 inches (23 cm) in length before they die and dry out on the tree. Such plant abnormalities are designated morphologically as vegetal teratology; they are not genetic. Normal leaves on the date palm do not appear to be affected by the presence of deformed leaves; in fact, their occurrence is considered to be normal (Ferry 2005). As a part of periodic pruning of old leaves from producing trees, dead deformed leaves are also removed.

Under certain circumstances, other palm species may produce deformed leaves, but they are not as compacted. These may occur immediately after terminal bud (apical meristem) damage caused by a severe wind storm or nonfatal lightening strike, as a result of insect attack or disease and from boron deficiency. However, in none of these instances, if the plant survives, is the trait persistent. Tissue-cultured palms also may exhibit deformed leaves. Deformed palm leaves and inflorescences caused by crowding have been observed in some species of the genera Chamaedorea and Dypsis.

What appears to be a deformed leaf (or possibly an inflorescence) in the crown of a producing date palm is shown in Figure 1. A photograph of a dried deformed leaf pruned from a tree is presented in Figure 2. The zigzag pattern created by the compressed leaflets gives this plant part an interesting anatomical and aesthetic appearance. In simple Arabic calligraphy, the w-shaped lines are said to resemble the name of Allah.

Normal date palm leaves are well known to have religious symbolism within the three major world religions; to this may be added the symbolism attributed to deformed date leaves in the Muslim

faith. In large measure, because of its multiplicity of useful products fruits, the date palm has been referred to as the

“blessed tree” and the “tree of life.” Because of its unusual and attractive appearance, deformed date palm leaves have been used in dried floral arrangements, as shown in Figure 3. This most ancient of the cultivated palms indeed is unique of all of the palms associated with human civilization.

To my knowledge, in the western languages, this date palm leaf abnormality has not been reported in either scientific or general publications. I hope that this note will stimulate publication of information on this anomaly.

References Cited

Ferry, M. 2005. Abnormality or rejuvenation in date palm from tissue culture? Paper presented at The International Workshop on True-To-Typeness of Date Palm Tissue Culture-Derived Plants. Marrakech, Morocco. 23-25 May 2005. pp. 113-118.

Zaid, A. 2002. Date palm cultivation. FAO, Rome.

Figure 2. Dried deformed date palm leaf. Scale is in inches. Photo: Dennis Johnson.

Figure 3. Dried floral arrangement with deformed palm leaf (left). Photo Dennis Johnson

TO CONTROL THE RED PALM WEEVIL RHYNCHOPHORUS FERRUGINEUS (OLIV.)

ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT MEDIA FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGUS BEAUVERIA BASSIANA

Keywords: Beauveria bassiana, culture, media, conidia, Rhynochophorus ferrungineus , red palm weevil, bioassay.


ABSTRACTThe growth of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria. bassiana (B-SA3) in different media and subsequent quantity and viability of produced conidia was determined as well as virulence against the red palm weevil R. ferrungineus. Five ingredients in agar were tested; wheat, corn, barley, oat and soy bean. The standard SDYA medium was used for comparism.

The yield of cultured conidial was highest on media prepared by wheat followed oat and least on barley. Viability of harvested conidia from all of the tested media, as determined by percentage germination ranged between 94.03-97.6% and relatively comparable with those obtained using SDYA. B.bassiana (B-SA3) conidia produced on the tested media although highly infective to R. ferrungineus adults was significantly less than that harvested from SDYA as exhibited by the calculated LC50 and LT50 . Of the considered ingredients, conidia cultured on wheat

medium surpassed those produced on the other media (LC50 was 2.11x 107 conidia / ml) followed by soy bean (1.06x108 conidia / ml). Least infectivity to the red palm weevil was by conidia produced on oat or corn medium, as LC50 was 2.81x 108 and 3.37x 108 conidia / ml, respectively. Mycosis was apparent on cadavers by the 7th day following death of all treated weevils.

HEGAZY. G., SALEM. M.A & MARIY. F.M

Dept. of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture; Ain Shams University

Cairo - Egypt

SHEHATA. S.TDept. of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture; Ain Shams University

Cairo - Egypt

ALDOSSARY. A.A Date Palm Research Center, Alahsa,

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


INTRODUCTIONThe date palm trees are infested by many insect pests as well as bacterial and fungal diseases leading a great loss in their harvest and sometimes to damage beyond repair to the trees. In the past two decades the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has become a major key insect pest to date palm trees. This insect pest has been widely accepted as being the most devastating insect pest of date, coconut and oil palm trees throughout Asia (Kalshoven, 1950; Wattanaapongsiri, 1966 and Abraham et al., 2002). In the mid 1980’s R. ferrugineus was introduced to date palm trees in the Arabian Gulf Region. It quickly spread to Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt (Abraham et al., 1998; Murphy and Briscoe, 1999 and Soroker et al., 2004). In 1997, the Arab Organization for Agriculture Development, AOAD, based in Sudan set a project with the aim of controlling this destructive insect pest.

Due to the insect feeding habits inside the palm tree trunks, its control has been quite difficult; furthermore, early infestation can not be discovered until damage has already been inflicted. Efforts for the control of the red palm weevil were focused on the use of traditional chemical insecticides or by eliminating infested trees. The use of food baited pheromone traps in both surveillance and mass trapping form a vital component of an IPM strategy against the red palm weevil (Abraham et al., 2002). Control of this pest is now more concerned with the use of biological control agents, such as the use of entomopathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi or nematodes. Beauveria bassiana is well known as an entomopathogenic fungus with worldwide distribution with broad spectrum insecticidal activity (Li, 1989 ; Donaldson and Williams, 1981; Martin et al., 2000; Saleh and Alheji, 2004). This fungus is the anamorphic stage of Cordyceps bassiana, a teleomorph in the ascomycetous family, Clavicipitaceae (Sung et al., 2007). B. beauveria has

proven to be effective for the control of many Coleopteran species, (Miranpuri et al., 1992a and 1992b, Miranpuri and Khachatourians, 1994; Magra et al., 2004).

Use of entomopathogenic fungi in a bio-control program will require production of large amounts of inoculums. The components of the Sabouraud’s dextrose yeast agar (i.e. SDYA) medium as a culture for the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana although very successful is relatively costly. Therefore, for the mass production of B. bassiana it was significant to experiment with other less expensive ingredients in the cultivation medium. Subsequently, the produced B. bassiana conidia on these media were evaluated in regard amounts obtained, viability and virulence on the red palm weevil.

MATERIAL AND METHODSInsect culture of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) :-The culture of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) was conducted under laboratory conditions at 27±20C and 70±5 % RH. Adult weevils were collected from infested date palm trees at a plantation located at El Kassasine, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, by means of insecticide free food baited aggregation pheromone / kaironome traps (Hanounik et al; 2000). The traps were partially buried around the trunk of the date palm trees at distances of 100 m. The traps were

routinely inspected and the live trapped weevils were collected and transferred to the laboratory and reared according to Aldossary et al. ( 2009).

The Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana (B-SA3):- The entomopathogenic fungus Saudi Arabian isolate (B-SA3) of B. bassiana was used in the present investigation. This fungus was isolated from dead red palm weevils R. ferrugineus collected from date palm plantations at Al-Qatif province, at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Hegazy et al. (2007) and which was identified and confirmed by CABI Bioscience UK.

Mass cultivation of Beauveria bassiana (B-SA3):-Five seeds or grains, namely oat, barley, wheat, corn and soy bean were chosen to prepare a media for the cultivation of B. bassiana. The seeds or grains were thoroughly washed in running water and then allowed to dry at room temperature; subsequently they were grounded to a fine powder by means of an electric mill. For the preparation of the media two weights, 20 or 40 gm per liter were considered for each tested ingredient, the grounded powder was mixed with 15 gm agar per liter of distilled water and autoclaved at 1210 C for 20 min. The standard Sabouraud’s dextrose yeast agar (i.e. SDYA) culture medium was used as a standard to compare the performance of the considered media.


The fungus B. bassiana (B-SA3) was grown on SDYA as well as the five other media for 96 hr at 25±20C, subsequently 5 mm in diameter discs were taken from the active growth region of the fungal colony and transferred in the centre of a 10 cm Petri dish containing 20 ml in each of the prepared culture media to be tested. Each considered culture medium was presented by 3 plates and each replicated 4 times. After incubation at 25±20C for 15 days, the conidia were harvested in sterile vials by scraping the surface of agar plates and the following factors were determined:-

(a) Dry weight (gram) of p r o d u c e d conidia/plate.

(b) Viability of conidia, assessed by germination test according to Goettel and Inglis (1997).

(c) Sporulation of the fungus was determined by conidial counting as number of conidia/cm2 of fungal growth.

After incubation at 25±2°C for 15 days, conidia were harvested by flooding the sporulated culture with sterile distilled water containing 0.05 % Tween-80 and dislodging conidia with a glass rod. Final conidial suspension volume was 25 ml and that was vortexed for 2 min to break spore chains into individual spores to assure uniform mixing. Counting of conidia was conducted by the use of a hemocytometer slide under an optical microscope.

(d) A bioassay of the B. bassiana conidia cultured on each of the considered media

ingredient (i.e. corn, wheat, oat, soy bean or barley) as well that cultured on the standard SDYA medium was evaluated on adult R. ferrungineus weevils. A series of concentrations were prepared, 5x105, 5x106, 5x107, 5x108 and 5x109 conidia/ml of B. bassiana according to the method described by Marannino et al. (2006), the suspensions were used for inoculation within 1 hour. The dipping technique was used, where 20 weevils were dipped for 20 seconds in one of the prepared concentrations. Treated specimens were then maintained separately and provided with small pieces of date palm wood as a source of food; each treatment was replicated 3 times. A control present by an equal number of weevils was included. Accumulated mortality percentage of treated weevils was recorded and corrected according to Abbott’s formula (Abbott, 1925) and LC50 and LT50 values determined (Finney, 1952). Following the death of treated weevils their cadavers were incubated individually at 250 C in sealed moist Petri dishes. After 7 days the specimens were examined to determine if the death was a result of infection by the fungus as confirmed by mycosis and/or ‘mummification’ .

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION1-Weight of produced B. bassiana conidia. As seen in Fig. 1 the medium prepared with oat or wheat produced the highest weight of B. bassiana conidia. Wheat medium was slightly superior when added at 20 gm than oat medium, as an average weight of 0.138 and 0.127 gm of conidia were obtained, respectively, however these values were significantly lower to conidia cultured on SDYA. Meanwhile, when the medium for the culture of conidia was prepared with 40 gm of either of these two grains, the weight of cultured B. bassiana conidia was 0.176 gm in the medium made with oat which was only slightly but insignificantly higher than that of the medium prepared with wheat, i.e. 0.171 gm. It is noteworthy, that the weight of conidia produced

Ingredient

No. conidia/ cm2 cultured on media in two weights (gm / liter)

20 40

Oat 5.5x 108 7.9x 108

Wheat 6.4x 108 7.6x 108

Corn 3.1x 108 4.3x 108

Soy bean 3.3x 108 5.5x 108

Barley 2.9 x 108 3.1x 108

SDYA 8.7x 108

Table (1): Number of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia/ cm2 grown on media prepared with different ingredients.

60 - 61


on either of these two medium was also insignificantly different than those produced on the standard SDYA medium (i.e. 0.174 gm).

The medium made by 20 gm of corn, barley or soy beans produced a markedly lower weight of conidia than the standard SDYA medium, i.e. 0.097, 0.089 and 0.086 gm, respectively, as compared to 0.174 in SDYA; the difference between them was highly significant. Meanwhile, when 40 gm of these considered ingredients were added, the weight of cultured conidia was higher in the medium containing soy bean followed by that made with corn and least in barley, i.e. 0.132, 0.122 and 0.092 gm, respectively.

2- Number of B.bassiana conidia / cm2The number of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia/ cm2 obtained when cultured on the different tested media varied ( Table 1) . The standard SDYA medium was the most efficient in producing the largest number of B. bassiana conidia i.e. 8.7 x 108 conidia/ cm2 .

Of the tested media that prepared with 40 gm of oat or wheat produced the highest number of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia which was 7.9x108 and 7.6x108 conidia/ cm2, respectively. However, when either of these media’s were prepared at a lower weight of 20 gm, that made with wheat

was slightly superior to that of oat as the number of conidia was 6.4x108 and 5.5x108 conidia/ cm2, respectively .

Media prepared with 20 gm of either soy bean or corn were similar in regard the number of cultured conidia being 3.3x108 and 3.1x108 conidia/ cm2, respectively. However, when prepared with double their quantities i.e. 40 gm, of either soy bean or corn the former medium produced 5.5x108 conidia/ cm2 which

was much more than those produced on corn ( 4.3x108 conidia/ cm2).

The number of produced B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on a medium prepared with either 20 or 40 gm barley was the lowest as only 2.9x108 and 3.1x108 conidia/ cm2 , respectively, were counted.

3- Germination test of Beauveria bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on media’s prepared with different ingredients:-In the standard SDYA medium percentage of conidia germination was 98.2 %, as seen in Fig. 2, the germination of conidia cultured on any of the tested media ranged between 94.03-97.6%. Highest percentage of germination was detected in B. bassiana conidia cultured on a medium prepared with 40 gm of oat, wheat or corn, i.e. 97.6, 97.6 and 97.5 %, respectively. These percentages were comparable and insignificantly different than that of B. bassiana conidia harvested from SDYA medium. When the media were prepared with these mentioned ingredients (i.e. oat, wheat or corn) but at a half their weight (20 gm) percentage of conidia was slightly reduced to reach

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

0.220 g 40 g

Oat Wheat Corn Soy bean Barley SDYA

Fig. (1): Average weight of B . bassiana (B-SA3) conidia (gm) cultured on media prepared with different ingredients


96.5, 97.3 and 96.7 %, respectively. These results show that wheat medium was the least affected when prepared in lesser amounts. Lowest germination was detected in conidia cultured on soy bean medium, prepared in either 20 or 40g, being 94.03 and 94.4 %, respectively, which was significantly less than germination of conidia harvested from

SDYA medium.

4- Bioassay of Beauveria bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on different media:-The virulence and infectivity of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia depicted by accumulative percentage mortality of adult red palm weevils treated with different concentrations of B. bassiana

(B-SA3) conidia harvested from different media are exhibited in Fig. 3 & 4 and were shown to be concentration dependant. Accumulated mortality was highest in red palm weevil treated by B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia harvested from the media prepared with wheat followed by barley then soy bean in any of the tested concentrations.

The previous observation was confirmed by the determined LC50 values which were 2.11x107, 6.9x107 and 1.06x108 conidia/ml in the media prepared by 40 gm of wheat, barley or soy bean, respectively, (Table 2). Meanwhile, when these respective mentioned ingredients when included in lesser amounts of 20 gm, the LC50 values were higher, being 5x107, 1.96x108and 2.37x108 conidia/ml, respectively. However, conidia collected from the standard SDYA were much more infective to red palm weevil adults as a lower LC50 value of 3.75 x 106 conidia/ ml was calculated, (Table 2).

Least infectivity was detected in red palm weevils treated with B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia harvested from a medium made with oat or corn. The determined LC50 values were 2.81x108 and 3.37x108 conidia/ml when the medium was prepared with 40g of the mentioned ingredients. Meanwhile, LC50 was a high of 8.38x108 and 8.66x108 conidia/ml when the medium was prepared with

Component Wt (gm/ l) LC50 conidia/ml slope r

Barley 20 1.96×108 0.439 0.983

40 6.91×107 0.414 0.993

Corn 20 8.58×108 0.391 0.995

40 3.37×108 0.442 0.994

Wheat 20 5.00×107 0.441 0.995

40 2.11×107 0.502 0.991

Oat 20 8.66×108 0.381 0.992

40 2.81×108 0.414 0.979

Soy bean 20 2.37×108 0.460 0.988

40 1.06×108 0.351 0.991

SDYA -- 3.75x106 0.64 0.99

Table (2): LC50 of red palm weevil adults treated with B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia harvested from media made with different ingredients in two weights (40 or 20 gm/ liter).

20 g 40 g

Oat Wheat Corn Soy bean Barley SDYA91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

Fig. (2 ) Germination percentage of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on media prepared with different components

62 - 63


20g of either corn or oat, (Table 2).

The time required to kill 50% (LT50) adults of the red palm weevil treated with 5x109 conidia/ml of B. bassiana (B-SA3) should that conidia cultured on a medium made with 40 or 20 gm of wheat caused the shortest LT50 which was 79.07 and 90.39 hr, respectively, (Table 3). Conidia from the barley medium were slightly superior to that of soy bean when prepared with 40 gm, i.e. 82.41 and 88.51 hr, respectively. Meanwhile, when the medium was prepared with 20 gm of either of these latter mentioned two ingredients; their LT50 values were insignificantly different being 97.95 and 98.17 hr. respectively. The LT50 value of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on oat or corn media was slightly longer as compared with conidia cultured on the other considered media. It is noteworthy, that LT50 value of conidia harvested from the standard SDYA medium was the most superior as it was the lowest recorded, i.e. 73.74 hr (Table 3).

Treatment of adults of the red palm

weevils with B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia harvested from different media at a concentration of 5x108 conidia/ml showed that similar to the previous

higher considered concentration, conidia cultured on the wheat medium caused the lowest LT50 value. These values were 93.97 and 97.95 hr when the medium was prepared with 40 or 20 gm wheat, respectively (Table 4). The LT50 of conidia collected from a medium made with 40 or 20 gm soy bean was 105.68 and 108.39 hr which was slightly lower than that of conidia produced on barley (i.e. 107.4 and 112.46 hr), prepared in the respective mentioned weights. Also, similar to the previous results, conidia harvested from a medium made with corn or oat were the least virulence against the red palm weevil, (Table 4). Again the virulence of B.bassiana (B-SA3) conidia harvested from the standard SDYA was 76.21 (Table 4).

Red palm adult weevils treated with B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia harvested from tested media and at a concentration of 5x107 conidia/ ml followed the same trend in regard LT50 values as the other two higher tested concentrations but took a longer time. At this concentration the shortest LT50 time was detected with 40 gm of the wheat medium (i.e. 119.67 hr) and the longest time was 195 hr for

Table (3) : LT50 (hr) values of red palm weevil adults treated by B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia at conc. 5 x 109 conidia/ ml, harvested from media prepared with 40 and 20 gm/ liter of different ingredients.

Table (4) : LT50 (hr) values of red palm weevil adults treated by B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia at conc. 5x108 conidia/ ml harvested from media made with different ingredients

Ingredient Wt (gm/ l) LT50 (hr) slope r

Barley 20 97.95 6.182 0.998

40 82.41 4.891 0.993

Corn 20 102.92 5.018 0.974

40 90.36 4.794 0.980

Wheat 20 90.39 6.062 0.979

40 79.07 6.880 0.998

Oat 20 94.08 2.268 0.997

40 90.39 4.794 0.980

Soy bean 20 98.17 4.603 0.941

40 88.51 3.430 0.963

SDYA ----- 73.74 9.14 0.984

Ingredient Wt (gm/ l) LT50 (hr) slope r

Barley 20 112.46 4.820 0.952

40 107.40 4.923 0.999

Corn 20 123.30 3.734 0.977

40 117.17 3.836 0.988

Wheat 20 97.95 6.182 0.998

40 93.97 4.699 0.997

Oat 20 119.40 5.791 0.999

40 117.17 3.836 0.988

Soy bean 20 108.39 6.980 0.992

40 105.68 3.440 0.970

SDYA ---- 76.21 5.6 0.918


conidia produced on 20 gm corn. These periods were relatively comparable to conidia produced on 40 or 20 gm oat as LT50 was 185 and 190 hr , respectively, (Table 5). Conidia of B. bassiana (B-SA3), at the same considered concentration, harvested from the standard SDYA was more virulent to red palm weevil adults, LT50 was 85.7 hr.

The LT50 value could not be calculated for the lower concentrations, (i.e. 5x105 and 5x106 conidia/ml) due to low mortality of treated adult weevils.

5- Mycoses on treated R. ferugenesis cadavers:-

As seen in Fig. 5 the highest percentage of visible aerial mycelium (mycosis), on the 7th day post mortem, was detected on cadavers of weevil’s treated by B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on the standard SDYA medium. These percentages were 100 % at the two highest concentrations of 5x109 and 5x108 conidia/ ml, but declined to 87.5 % at the lower concentrations 5x107 conidia/ ml.

Of the tested media highest percentage of mycosis was 77.78 % on cadavers of the red palm weevils, by the 7th day following their death, when treated with 5x109 B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia/ml harvested from a medium prepared with 40gm of wheat. This was followed by a slightly lower percentage of 75 % by B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on

barley medium. Also, at this considered concentration, 71.43 % of cadavers of weevils treated with conidia produced on either 40 gm of oat, soy bean or corn exhibited mycosis.

The percentage of mycosis on cadavers of the red palm weevil gradually decreased with a decrease in the administered conidia concentrations as well as when the media was prepared with a lesser weight of the component. The decrease was at a sharper rate in weevil cadavers treated by conidia produced on oat. However, at the lower concentration of 5x105 conidia/ ml, none of the dead treated weevils displayed mycoses.

Use of fungi in practical biological control programs will require production of large amounts of inoculum (Batista- Filho et al., 1988; Jenkins et al.,1998). In the present work, media prepared with available seeds or grains, i.e. wheat, oat, corn, soy bean or barley in agar were considered for the culture of B. bassiana conidia. The SDYA medium was taken as a comparison. From the fore mentioned results, it could be deducted that medium made with 40 gm of any of the considered ingredients were much more resourceful for the production of B. bassiana (B-SA3) than when prepared with the lesser weight of 20 gm. Therefore, the following summation of results present media prepared with

Ingredient wt (gm/ l) LT50 (hr) slope r

Barley 20 170.00 5.915 0.978

40 158.50 4.723 0.980

Corn 20 195.00 4.312 0.999

40 175.00 3.340 0.999

Wheat 20 139.00 4.192 0.981

40 119.67 3.578 0.991

Oat 20 190.00 3.340 0.999

40 185.00 4.312 0.999

Soy bean 20 160.00 5.915 0.978

40 138.99 4.190 0.981

SDYA ---- 85.7 4.8 0.931

Table (5) : LT50 (hr) values of red palm weevil adults treated by B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia at conc. 5x107 conidia/ ml harvested from media made with different ingredients

0

1020

30

4050

60

70

80

90

100

5 x 10 ^ 9 5 x 10 ^ 8 5 x 10 ^ 7 5 x 10 ^ 6 5 x 10 ^ 5

Conc.Conida / ml

Barley (20g) Corn (20g) Wheat (20g)

Oat (20g) Soy bean (20g) SDYA

Fig. (3) Accumulated corrected percentage mortality of red palm weevils adults treated with different concentrations of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on media made with 20gm of different ingredients

% m

orta

lity

64 - 65


only 40 gm. As depicted in Table 6, the medium prepared with 40 gm wheat was the most efficient for the production of B. bassiana (B-SA3) to be used in a control program against the red palm weevil. This medium produced 17.2 % conidia less in weight and 12.6 % less in number than those produced on the standard SDYA medium. Furthermore, percentage conidia germination was comparable as it was only 0.6% less than the standard SDYA. In the conducted bioassay against the red palm weevil the LC50 value of conidia produced on wheat were 2.11x 107 conidia/ ml, and surpassed that of conidia produced on other components. Also, in this case, LT50 values were the shortest.

The culture medium prepared with 40 gm oat could be taken in second position, as it produced the same weight of B. bassiana (B-SA3) spores as those obtained on SDYA but less with a slight 9 % and a negligible 0.9 % lower number of conidia/cm2 and

germination percentage, respectively, than the standard medium. However, the LT50 of conidia produced on this component (and also those cultured on corn medium) exhibited the longest

duration recorded as they ranging between 195 - 175 hr.

A medium made with 40 gm corn produced a very low number of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia as it was half

Table (6) : Compiled data of the assessment of medium for the production of B. bassiana (B-SA3).

Ingredient Wt (gm/l)

Wt. spores(mg)

No spores/cm2

% germination.

% decrease than standard medium SDYA

LC 50

LT 50

wt No. spores

% germination.

5×109 5×108 5×107

Barley 20 0.089 2.9×10 8 95.07 48.80 66.6 3.3 1.96×10 8 97.95 112.46 170.00

40 0.092 3.1×10 8 96.10 47.12 64.4 2.1 6.91×10 7 82.41 107.40 158.50

Corn 20 0.097 3.1×10 8 96.70 44.25 64.6 1.5 8.58×10 8 102.92 123.30 195.00

40 0.122 4.3×10 8 97.50 29.80 50.5 0.7 3.37×10 8 90.36 117.17 175.00

Wheat 20 0.138 6.4×10 8 97.30 20.60 26.4 0.9 5.00×10 7 90.39 97.95 139.00

40 0.171 7.6×10 8 97.60 17.20 12.6 0.6 2.11×10 7 79.07 93.97 119.67

Oat 20 0.127 5.5×10 8 96.50 27.01 36.7 1.7 8.66×10 8 94.08 119.40 190.00

40 0.176 7.9×10 8 97.60 17.2 9.0 0.6 2.81×10 8 90.39 117.17 185.00

Soy bean 20 0.086 3.3×10 8 94.02 50.57 62.0 4.18 2.37×10 8 98.17 108.39 160.00

40 0.132 5.5×10 8 94.40 24.10 36.7 3.8 1.06×10 8 85.70 98.17 124.45

SDYA ------- 0.174 8.7×10 8 98.20 ---- ----------- ------ 3.75×10 6 73.74 76.21 85.70

Fig. (4): Accumulated corrected percentage mortality of red palm weevils adults treated with different concentrations of B. bassiana (B-SA3) conidia cultured on media made with 40gm of different ingredients

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

5 x 10 ^ 9 5 x 10 ^ 8 5 x 10 ^ 7 5 x10 ^ 6 5 x 10 ^ 5

Conc.Conida / ml



% m

orta

lity


the value produced on SDYA medium (i.e. 50.5 %) but these conidia had a high germination percentage of 97.5 %. The virulence of these conidia against red palm weevil adults was relatively low as detected by the determined LC 50 value which was 3.37x108 conidia/ml.

Of the tested media, that prepared with barley medium produced the lowest number of conidia which was less by 64.4 % than that produced on the SDYA medium. These conidia exhibited a high viability as depicted by germination percentage (96.1 %) but their virulence against red palm weevil adults was low. In contrast LC50 value of conidia produced on soy bean was 1.06 x 108 conidia/ml when tested on the red palm weevil, which put their virulence in an enhanced position if compared with other tested media. The considered prepared media

are not to be under estimated as their conidial yield and viability was relatively reasonable. The lesser infectivity of these conidia as compared to conidia harvested from the standard SDYA medium may be compensated by the addition other additives; further studies are required to confirm this assumption.

Mycosis was apparent on 77.78- 71.43 % of dead treated weevils treated by LC50 values above 5x106 conidia/ ml; it is most significant for the occurrence of mycosis on the cadavers of weevils so as to create an opportunity of spreading the conidia. This calculation would be most important when conducting a control program for the red palm weevil especially that male adults of this insect release an aggregation pheromone (Al-Jahr and Al-Rajeh, 2000), therefore, allowing close contact with other weevils and feasibility of fungal

infection spreading between weevils. An experiment conducted by Andrei (2001) showed that B. bassiana conidia in the soil from cadavers of infected Leptinotarsa decemilineata (Say) adults caused high mortality to other insects.

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0102030405060708090

100

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Conc.Conida / ml

Barley (20g) Corn (20g) Wheat (20g)Oat (20g) Soy bean (20g) SDYA

0102030405060708090

100

5 x10 ^ 9 5 x10 ^ 8 5 x10 ^ 7 5 x10 ^ 6 5 x10 ^ 5

conc.Conida / ml



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66 - 67


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KHALIFAINTERNATIONALDATE PALM AWARD

Introduction

The Award was established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE (God Protect Him) with a presidential decree, Number 15/2007, dated on 20 March 2007 and on the Presidential Decision Number 02/2007 dated 07 July 2007, which defined the members of the Award’s Board of Trustees. His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of Board of Trustees, attended the Launching Ceremony of the “Khalifa International Date Palm Award” held on April 7, 2008 at Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The launching ceremony attracted regional and international attention on the date palm tree and the strategic future of dates as a balanced food product, and considering it as an essential part

of the sustainable development process initiated that His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE (God Protect Him).

The MessageThe Khalifa International Date palm Award has been created as an appreciation from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE (God Protect Him) to the blessed tree and to the people involved in the field of date palm, either in United Arab Emirates or any other country around the world, in order to recognise the outstanding efforts made to develop the date palm for sustainable development for present and coming generations.

The aim of the Award1. To enhance the prestige of UAE in the field of


date palm research by virtue of its pioneering role in this field.

2. To encourage people involved in the cultivation of date palm: researchers, growers, exporters, whether individuals or agencies.

3. To support research related to the development of the various aspects of the date palm industry.

4. To honor figures engaged in the date palm industry at the local, regional and international levels.

5. To establish and maintain co-operation between the various bodies involved in the date palm industry, particularly in the spheres of production, processing, and marketing, as well as products in which dates constitute a principal ingredient.

6. To disseminate a date palm culture at local, regional and international levels.

7. Nationalization of Knowledge related to date palm through scholarships.

8. IIIustrate the various components of the date palm tree as a part of the UAE heritage.

9. Support and encourage new innovations related to date palm industry.

MissionTo encourage people involved in the cultivation of date palm: researchers, growers, exporters, whether individuals or institutions.

To honour figures engaged in the date palm industry at the local, regional, and international levels.

Vision To enhance the prestige of the UAE in the field of date palm research by virtue of its pioneering role in this field.

To support research related to the development of the various aspects of the date palm industry.

To establish and maintain national, regional and international cooperation between the various bodies involved in the date palm industry, particularly in the spheres of production, processing, and marketing, as well as products in which dates constitute a principal ingredient.

To introduce a date palm culture at local, regional and international levels.

The Scientific JuryThe Scientific Committee consists of eminent scientists and experts in the field who will collectively decide the recipients in each category of the Award.

Each application will be submitted to the corresponding team of assessors. The Khalifa International Date Palm Award assessors will review each submission, individually and collectively. This will be accomplished according to the Award pre-established selection criteria.

1- Prof. Looney Norman

2- Prof. Harrison Hughes

3- Prof. Francis Marty

4- Prof. Abdualla Oihabi

5- Dr. Hassan Shabana

ConfidentialityAll information and materials associated with an application for the Khalifa International Date Palm Award will be handled in strict confidence and will not be viewed by any individual or entity not directly involved in the awards process. Furthermore, all jury members and personnel associated with the Award attribution process will sign a non-disclosure agreement ensuring their confidential treatment of all information and all materials involved.

The PrizeThe Award shall consist of A trophy carrying the winner’s name. A certificate in the winner’s name with Award winning category and the date. And A financial reward as follow:


AED 300,000 for the First Winner + a commemorative plaque & Appreciation Certificate.

AED 200,000 for the Second Winner + a commemorative plaque & Appreciation Certificate.











AED 300,000 for the Winner + a commemorative plaque & Appreciation Certificate.

General conditions:Applications are accepted from all countries; application can be uploaded through the award website and should be filled in Arabic or English and be sent with a curriculum vitae of the candidate, a photocopy of a valid passport and 3 photographs.


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