EFFECTS OF POLLEN SOURCES ON FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS OF SHAHANI DATE

Induction of xenia and metaxenia in fruits and seeds of ʹShahani" date palm was studied by comparing the pollen grains from different male cultivars. Fruit set, pomological fruit characters, fruit quality and date of ripening were markedly affected by pollen parent. ʹPiaromʹ pollen produced the largest seeds while the lowest length/diameter ratio of seed was observed in ʹKabkabʹ pollen. Pollen source did not significantly affect the total soluble solids. ʹMazafatiʹ cultivar proved to be a good pollen source for pollination of ʹShahaniʹ date palm.