Irrigation

An abundant water supply has a lot to do with the quality of the date crop. However, there are favored regions where no irrigation is needed because the level of the ground water is high.

Date growing is inseparable from artificial irrigation, wherever the industry has reached high commercial development.

If it were to be asked, “How much water should be given the palm?” the most general answer would be “all there is”. Irrigation is only limited by the amount of water available. The ditch under the palm should never dry out; therefore, daily watering is the ideal in some regions. Sufficient drainage must exist so the palm will flourish under these conditions. It is common for palms to suffer from lack of air where there is heavy irrigation without drainage.

In some regions where there is not enough water available, palms are likely to be watered once or twice a week, or perhaps once or twice a month. Such factors as size of head, character of the soil, length of the ditch, and length of time the water is allowed to run determines the amount of water put on at any given irrigation. Usually, irrigation is less at some times of the year such as in winter, when water may be applied once a month. In regions with mild winters, more frequent irrigation is desirable because palms continue to grow throughout the year.

It is wrong to assume that if a lot of water is good, more is better. The soil fertility will be washed out, and the constant flooding with cold water will lower the temperature of the ground, causing dates to ripe several weeks later than usual. Generally, the bulk of its feeding roots are within 2 m (about 7 feet) of the surface, where most of the soil fertility is. In most desert regions, water supply is limited; therefore, the expanding of date growing depends on the careful use of all water available. However, it is in the interest of all that the technique of irrigation be as perfect as possible. Though experience, one learns when to turn water on and off.

It is reasonable to assume that the palm, like other plants, can use no more than the optimum moisture content of the soil. The most important points (to remember) are:

1-     The soil must be prepared to receive water.

2-     Enough water (not too much) must be applied.

3-     Water must be brought to the land with minimum loss and also minimized loss by evaporation.

Raw land, which has never been under cultivation, takes water badly. Before planting date palms, it is wise to plant a crop such as barley, because the roots of the grain will improve the mechanical condition of the soil, breaking up the earth and leaving vertical channels down which water can pass. Thus, the moisture content will be gradually raised. If alfalfa is grown as the next crop, the raw land will also be benefited.

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