Master’s Thesis at the University of Basrah Explores Enhancing Drought Tolerance in Date Palms
A master’s thesis at the College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, investigated the role of the amino acid cysteine in improving the biochemical and anatomical characteristics of tissue-cultured Zamli date palms under drought stress conditions.
The study, conducted by researcher Hiba Abdulhussein Shaaban, aimed to identify scientific approaches to mitigate the adverse effects of drought, enhance the physiological and biochemical characteristics of date palms, and strengthen their defense mechanisms against oxidative stress.
The research involved a factorial experiment comprising three irrigation intervals (3, 15, and 30 days) and three cysteine concentrations (0, 150, and 300 mg/L) to evaluate their effects on the growth and productivity of date palms.
The findings demonstrated that cysteine significantly improved tree performance, increased fruit set, and reduced fruit drop.
The thesis recommended the application of cysteine at a concentration of 300 mg/L to maintain date palm productivity and enhance its tolerance to water scarcity and drought conditions.
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