MUSCAT : This breakthrough follows several trials and follow-ups over many consecutive seasons, which focused on optimising pollination timing and selecting the most suitable pollen type.

The experiment began with the pollination of the Al Khunaizi variety in the Wilayat of Seeb. This involved selecting the optimal pollination time, most appropriate pollen type to ensure quality results, and monitoring and preserving the clusters. This contributed to ensuring the continuity of fruit development, overall growth, and the appearance of colouration signs, leading to ripening and complete fruiting in early April – approximately 3 to 4 months before the usual harvest date.

The efforts resulted in the success of the experiment and the commencement of harvesting. Monitoring results over several consecutive seasons confirmed the possibility of obtaining early dates on a regular basis, without any negative impact on seasonal palm productivity.

The experiment aimed to transform the Al Khunaizi variety from a mid-season variety to an early premium variety, and to produce very early ripe dates – the first of their kind in the Sultanate of Oman and the Gulf states. This would enhance future economic viability by marketing a premium variety at an ideal time, thereby ensuring 100 percent natural ripe dates at all stages of maturity.

Eng. Madeleine bint Saeed Al Mahrouqi, Director of the Parks and Gardens Services Department in Seeb, said: “This experiment was launched based on previous knowledge of the genetic nature of some palm varieties, which have demonstrated a distinct ability to produce pollen twice a year, indicating the possibility of genetic or environmental factors contributing to the stimulation of this phenomenon.”

She added that the optimal timing for pollination was chosen to ensure the success of this experiment, in addition to selecting high-quality pollen to boost production with high quality fruit.

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