Changes in the numbers and productivity of some date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. cultivars between 2000 and 2024 in Basrah Governorate

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the changes in cultivation and productivity of three commercial date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars (Barhi, Hillawi, and Khadrawi) propagated by offshoots in Basrah Governorate. Statistical data from the years 2000 and 2024 were compared across ten different locations within the governorate. The analysis included the number of trees, cultivated area, and production quantities, in addition to calculating the standard score and rate of change for each cultivar over the study period. The results showed that the number of Barhi date palm trees in Basrah decreased by 70.4% between the two years, accompanied by a 76.58% decline in production. In contrast, the Hillawi cultivar exhibited a 34.6% increase in tree number and a 9.86% rise in production. The Khadrawi cultivar showed a significant reduction of 65.0% in tree number and a 73.70% decrease in production. The comparison between the two study years revealed clear differences in trends among the cultivars: Hillawi followed a positive trend in both tree number and production, whereas Barhi and Khadrawi showed notable declines. Geographical variation in these changes was also evident, with Al-Zubair district recording the highest positive change in tree numbers, followed by Abu Al-Khasib, while Basrah city exhibited the most significant decline in tree numbers for some cultivars