The Geographical Impact of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) on Diet and the Economy

The Geographical Impact of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) on Diet and the Economy
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Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is an important agricultural fruit crop in the Old World particularly in North Africa, the Middle East and Western Asia. In the traditional growing regions the date palms are a major source of nutrients, but there has also been degradation of the crop. The distribution, harvesting and marketing of the date palm trees in the arid region provide sustenance to the cultivators. Mapping the origin and uses of the date palm tree is necessary to understand its impact on the Arab world, where it has been cultivated for centuries. This paper highlights the impact of the date palm in areas where it is cultivated including the geographical distribution.
Even though, there are diverse species of the Phoenix palm, it is only the Phoenix dactylifera that is cultivated for fruits. The date palm is found in the arid regions especially the Middle East, it symbolized fertility in Ancient Egypt and tree of life, it has also symbolized peace in the Christian and Hebrew cultures (Robinson, Brown & Williams, 2012). In cases species are grown in cooler regions, there is little or fruit production since the plant is adapted for the hotter regions, where it grows faster in warmer regions. The Phoenix dactylifera performs well in areas with high temperatures and low humidity for fruit production and does well at temperatures higher than 20°F (-7°C) (Robinson, Brown & Williams, 2012).
Nutritional problems affect the viability of date palm trees especially in the New World where commercial cultivation may be undertaken in areas with alkaline soils. Robinson, Brown & Williams (2012), point out that the nutrients and levels of pH influence the growth and development of palm trees in Nevada, U.S. Other date palm growing areas rely on natural nutrients, there is a need to use fertilizers in alkaline soils found in the U.S, and they are applied depending on the irrigation. In the case of Nevada the level of potassium is high. Analyzing the level of nutrient deficiency is necessary in nontraditional growing areas if the trees are to thrive.
Climatic conditions play a crucial role to the thriving of date palms, and when there is adequate water supply temperature is the most important, but so are the latitudes, altitudes and rains affect the maturation and development of the date palms. During pollination the onset of rain may interrupt fruit setting. To further highlight the importance of climate is that increased humidity damages the plant, while low temperatures inhibit maturation while increasing the risk of fungal growth and insect infestation (FAO). To protect the growth and maturation o the date palm crops the fruit brunches and covers are the main concern as they are more affected by adverse climate and weather patterns (FAO, n.d.).
There are about 15 species of Phoenix native to the traditional date palm areas in North Africa and Middle East (MENA), and the Canary Islands to East Indies. The Asian continent ahs the highest number of date palms followed by Africa, USA and Mexico and to a smaller extent Australia and Spain (Zaid & de Wet, 2015).The traditional growing areas in the Arab world produce more than 70% and are a major source of income in the countries. Additionally, the plat has ceremonial importance in the three Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam (Al-Khalifah, Askari & Shanavaskhan, 2013). For Muslims, the Phoenix dactylifera is crucial during fasting because of the plant’s nutritional value and productivity to a smaller extent there is wide cultivation of date palms in the U.S and Australia (Al-Khalifah, Askari & Shanavaskhan, 2013).
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations categorizes the distribution of the date palms based on the latitudes, altitude and number of the date palms where the plant is grown in MENA and the American continent (Zaid, A., & de Wet, 2015). in the Northern hemisphere the date palms is grown at a latitude of 27° to 39° N but also includes the 16°50' N in the Nema region of Mauritania (Zaid & de Wet, 2015). In the Southern region this differs from 1°47' N in the Mogadishu region to 25°59' N in Gujarat India (Zaid & de Wet, 2015). The most favorable regions lie between 24° 34°N in the Middle East, while in the US it is 33° and 35°N. The altitude affects temperature and availability of water, with date palms performing well at an altitude of 392 m below to 1500 m above sea level (Zaid & de Wet, 2015).
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Date Palm is mainly used for food and as industrial product in the economies and rural communities from the Middle East and North Africa and the Western Asia region. Hybridization has resulted in the cultivation of date palm on a more commercial scale with breeders relying on the hybrids to nurture the plants in areas outside the areas that traditionally grow the date palms. As such human selection has pl...