Effect of subsurface irrigation depths on growth and fruiting Berhi date palm

Abstract

This study was carried out on Barhi date palm grown on sandy loamy soil in a south valley agricultural research station (Toshka) at Abo simple, Aswan governorate, Egypt during three successive seasons of 2021, 2022 and 2023. It was conducted to evaluate the effect of subsurface irrigation depths (0.0, 80, 100 and 120% cm) on growth, yield, fruit quality and irrigation water use efficiency. Results showed that the studied growth traits and fruit quality parameters were highest under the 80 or 100 cm depth compared to 0.0 cm depth. Data indicated that all the studied properties significantly improved with increasing irrigation depth to 80 or 100 cm. No significant difference among irrigation depth 80 or 100 cm. Moreover, irrigated at deep 80 or 100 cm enhanced irrigation water use efficiency. Thus, this study recommends using subsurface irrigation at 80 to 100 cm deep to irrigate date palm trees under Toshka conditions.