Light, Shade, and Temperature Effects on Date Palm Fruits Ripening, Pigments, and Phytohormones

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 university of Basrah

2 Kazan Federal University

Abstract

Optimizing light, shade, and temperature conditions can substantially enhance the growth, yield, and quality of date palm fruits. This study evaluated the effects of light intensity, shading (via bagging), and temperature on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of date palm fruits, with a focus on pigment biosynthesis and phytohormonal regulation during ripening. Four cultivars, ‘Barhee’, ‘Braim’, ‘Khassab’, and ‘Hellawi’, were examined under two light regimes (direct sunlight and paper-bag-induced shade) across four developmental stages from June to August. Chlorophyll levels declined progressively in all cultivars as ripening advanced, with more rapid degradation observed under shaded conditions. In contrast, anthocyanin and carotenoid contents generally increased under shade conditions, particularly in ‘Braim’ and ‘Hellawi’, contributing to enhanced fruit coloration. Shading also helped preserve phenolic compounds, while light-exposed fruits exhibited higher ascorbic acid levels, indicating a physiological trade-off between antioxidant accumulation and oxidative stress. Shade treatments promoted higher levels of growth-related hormones, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA3), and cytokinins, during mid-season stages, and elevated abscisic acid (ABA) levels during late ripening, suggesting enhanced developmental regulation and stress adaptation. Bagging effectively moderated the fruit microclimate by reducing temperature and increasing relative humidity, thereby improving fruit quality and ripening dynamics. These findings support the use of controlled shading as a practical agronomic strategy to enhance date palm fruit quality under climate stress, while highlighting the importance of cultivar-specific responses in optimizing management practices.

Keywords

International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 31 January 2027

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 June 2025
  • Revise Date: 25 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 28 July 2025

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