TO ECONOMIZE DATE PALM POLLENS THROUGH DIFFERENT DILUTING MATERIALS IN ASEEL CV

The current study was conducted on dilution of date pollens by mixing with some carriers i.e. wheat flour and saw dust of cheel (Pinus roxburghii) at Horticultural Research Station, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during 2005-06. Seven treatments were applied during pollination season of date palm. Application of 100% pollens (T1=control) was compared with other six treatments (T2-T7) consisting of mixtures of the carries with pollens at ratios of 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0%. Fruit set (%), number of fruit spathe^-1 and yield plant^-1 were significantly affected. Although maximum values were recorded in control, yet mixing of 50% pollens with 50% wheat flour (T2) or 50% pollens with 50% saw dust (T5) were similar in effect to that of control (T1=100% pollens) for yield plant-1 and it ranked 2nd for fruit set percentage (64-66%) and number of fruit spathe^-1. However, fruit size (length x diameter in cm), fruit weight (g), stone weight (g) and fruit TSS (Brix) were not affected statistically.