ISHS Acta Horticulturae 769: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Asian Plants with Unique Horticultural Potential
CHINESE DATE - A NEW PROMISING FRUIT PLANT FOR ROMANIA SOUTHERN AREAS |
| Authors: | F. Stănică, S.A. Vasile |
| Keywords: | Ziziphus jujube, varieties, selections, fruit characteristics |
| Abstract:
In the Dobrogea area of Romania, between the Danube and the Black Sea, there are several places where the Chinese date exists in naturalized populations. It is important to mention that, the Chinese date populations found in Romania are located in the neighborhood of antique sites of Greek, Roman and Byzantine ruins. Probably those old civilizations had an important role in the introduction of the Chinese date into the area. The Romanian local populations of Chinese date produce small fruits and could be useful for a future use as rootstock. For a comparative study, 15 genotypes of Ziziphus from Shanxi Province, China, were planted in Bucharest at 4 × 2.5 m spacing and trained as a slender spindle. During seven years, each genotype was studied regarding the phenotypic plant characteristics and fruit production. Fruits were characterized from the pomological point of view and several fruit chemical parameters were also analyzed. The first experimental results showed that in southern Romania there exist appropriate natural conditions for Chinese date cultivation. Chinese date trees are extremely drought resistant, and, until now, they seem to have no natural pest enemies and cultivation is not complicated. Taking in consideration our first experimental results, we emphasize that Chinese date is promising new fruit species. Its cultivation should be extended in Romania in integrated and organic farms, and also in small private gardens. | |
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