Irrigation Management and Water Requirements of Date Palm in Three Oases of Tunisia

Abstract

In Tunisia, managing the water requirements of date palm is a critical challenge due to scarce water resources and the necessity for efficient irrigation practices in oasis environments. This study aims to estimate the irrigation water requirements of date palm (cv. Deglet Nour) in three oases: Jemna, Rjim Maatoug, and Tozeur using the CROPWAT 8.0 model. Climatic data revealed similar maximum and minimum temperatures and solar radiation across the sites. However, minimum relative humidity varied significantly, recorded at 34%, 14.5%, and 8.4% in Jemna, Rjim Maatoug, and Tozeur, respectively. The annual irrigation water requirements of date palm were highest in Rjim Maatoug (1267.1 mm), followed by Jemna (1245.4 mm) and Tozeur (1044.6 mm). Water productivity values were estimated at 0.47, 0.44, and 0.59 kg·m⁻³ for Jemna, Rjim Maatoug, and Tozeur, respectively. These findings contribute to a better understanding of date palm water needs in southern Tunisia and support the development of improved irrigation scheduling and water use efficiency strategies. The use of the CROPWAT 8.0 model offers a practical tool for farmers to determine optimal irrigation quantities and frequencies for sustainable date palm cultivation.