The date palm has come of age. Cultivated for millennia in the arid regions of the world, from the Atlantic Ocean across North Africa, the importance of the date palm is being rediscovered. Its value as the sustaining pillar of market gardens in marginal agricultural communities cannot be overemphasized. As a tree that has emerged from ancient history into the modern world, the date palm is eliciting a great deal of interest in fields as diverse as biotechnology and international marketing. This book provides expert contributions on the full range of topics pertaining to the date palm, from its archaeology, cultivation and traditional uses, to biotech applications in modern propagation methods and disease control. It provides a thorough overview for any reader wanting to gain insight into this industry, from its ancient roots to its modern day practices.