Fruit Evaluation of Minor Nubian Date Palm Cultivars

Abstract

Domestication of date palm in the Nuba-land of Mahas and
Sakkot tribes since ancient times had been well documented in
archeological records. The commercially valuable Sudanese date palm
cultivars originated there and were distributed country-wise. Besides,
there are many minor cultivars in that habitat, rarely recognized in other
dates producing areas in Sudan. In this study, the physical, chemical and
sensory attributes of 10 of these cultivars were studied in comparison to
Barakawi, the major date cultivar in Sudan. Kulmat Al Borgaig scored top
rank for fruit weight, width and pulp thickness, sharing weight position
with Kajnosa, while Barakawi fruit was the longest. The highest total and
non-reducing sugars were recorded in Zagloul and Kulumtoad fruits. The
moisture content of all cultivars was extremely low, except for Kulmat
AlBorgaig which was characterized by relatively higher moisture. The
overall acceptance in the panel of sensory evaluation was in favour of
Kulmat Al Borgaig and Kajnosa, with relatively higher grades for taste
and palatability for Kulmat Al Borgaig.