Innovative and Effective Spray Method for Artificial Pollination of Date Palm Using Drone

Traditional pollination of date palms is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Hence, the objectives this study were 1) to develop rapid, efficient, low-cost method that results in an acceptable level fruit set (FS) with smaller amount pollen grains, labor costs using platform-mounted robotic (drone) supplemented water-suspended 2) investigate effect on palm FS percentage, efficiency (PE), retention, total yield, quality. Date cultivars Barhi, Lulu, Khesab pollinated traditional hand (HP), spray (HS), drone (DS) grains (3 g/L). The revealed DS had significantly lower percentage than HP HS methods Lulu cultivars, but difference was not statistically significant Barhi cultivar. Fruit PE unaffected by any cultivar, (0.81) (0.94) (0.99) methods. levels retention bunch weight other improved physical quality at harvest all compared Nevertheless, color, firmness, soluble solids (TSS) %, acidity, pH, vitamin C Although produced weight, obtained percentages within commercially range for cultivars. To best our knowledge, first field indicate possibility pollinating drones grain. validate commercial application, more research needed justify optimum time duration which may vary according cultivar region.