Effects of irrigation systems on yield and physical characteristics of date (Phoenix dactylifera .L) cv. ‘Medjool’

Abstract

The shortage of irrigation water pooled with the effect of climate change and inadequate management in oases; affects the sustainability of the oasis ecosystem. Irrigation, as practiced in these oases, is not conducted according to the real water requirements of the crops, this management can induce water stress which affects the physical characteristics of the dates cultivated and consequently yield production, or on the contrary a significant water intake and a waste of the resource. This study investigated two irrigation systems; drip-irrigation, which is currently applied under date palms in the Moroccan oases, and the newly introduced underground irrigation (Micro-porous irrigation) .The aim of this work, was to assess the effects of different types of irrigation system on yield and physical quality parameters of ‘Medjool’ dates. Fruit quality assessment including fruit weight, length, breadth, pulp thickness, stone weight, length, breadth, number and average weight of bunches fruit per tree were evaluated, to identify the most effective irrigation system for date palm.