title: Projected future distribution of date palm and its potential use in alleviating micronutrient deficiency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Micronutrient deficiency develops when nutrient intake does not match nutritional requirements for maintaining healthy tissue and organ functions which may have long-ranging effects on health, learning ability and productivity. Inadequacy of iron, zinc and vitamin A are the most important micronutrient deficiencies. Consumption of a 100 g portion of date flesh from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) has been reported to meet approximately half the daily dietary recommended intake of these micronutrients. This study investigated the potential distribution of P. dactylifera under future climates to address its potential long-term use as a food commodity to tackle micronutrient deficiencies in some developing countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Modelling outputs indicated large shifts in areas conducive to date palm cultivation, based on global-scale alteration over the next 60 years. Most of the regions suffering from micronutrient deficiencies were projected to become highly conducive for date palm cultivation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results could inform strategic planning by government and agricultural organizations by identifying areas to cultivate this nutritionally important crop in the future to support the alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies.
authors.affiliation: Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
authors.forename: Farzin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shabani
authors.affiliation: Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
authors.forename: Lalit
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of the Professions, School of Rural Medicine, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
authors.forename: Amir Hadi
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Nojoumian
authors.affiliation: Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esmaeili
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.|Young Researchers and Elite Club, Khorasgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, 81595-158, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toghyani
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D003906:Developing Countries; D048070:Fetal Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D005544:Forecasting; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D065749:Phoeniceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011157:Population Dynamics; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc
keywords: Phoenix dactylifera L; climate change; global climate models; micronutrient deficiency