Abstract
Applications of modern micro-irrigation methods are inevitable for optimum water use due to the limitations imposed by irrigation water resource scarcity. Regardless of water shortages and associated challenges in dry areas, the irrigation of date palm trees consumes an excessive quantity of water annually using conventional irrigation methods. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of modern surface and subsurface micro-irrigation systems, i.e., subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI), controlled surface irrigation (CSI), and surface drip-irrigation methods (SDI), with different irrigation water regimes, i.e., 50%, 75%, and 100% irrigation water requirements (IWRs), on the yield and fruit quality of date palms (cv. Khalas) and water conservation in the dryland region of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The effects of three irrigation methods and IWRs were studied on macronutrients and soil chemical properties at three depths (0–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm), as well as on water productivity, yield, and the fruit quality of date palms. The study was carried out over two years and was designed using a two-factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with nine replications. The results indicated that electrical conductivity (EC) increased as the depth of the soil increased. The soil chemical properties did not change much in all experimental treatments, while soil pH values decreased with the soil depth from 0–30 to 60–90 cm. Although the maximum fruit yield (96.62 kg palm−1) was recorded when 100% irrigation water was applied in the SSDI system, other treatment combinations, such as SDI at 100% IWR (84.86 kg palm−1), SSDI at 75% IWR (84.84 kg palm−1), and CSI at 100% IWR (83.86 kg palm−1) behaved alike and showed promising results. Similarly, the highest irrigation water productivity (2.11 kg m−3) was observed in the SSDI system at 50% IWR, followed by the SSDI at 75% IWR (1.64 kg m−3) and 100% IWR (1.40 kg m−3). Fruit quality attributes were also promoted with the SSDI system at 75% IWR. Hence, the SSDI method at 75% IWR appeared to be an optimal choice for date palm irrigation in arid areas due to its positive impact on water conservation and fruit characteristics without affecting soil chemical properties.
Highlights
IntroductionCitrus, olive, grape, mango, and guava are the major fruits grown in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Date palm, citrus, olive, grape, mango, and guava are the major fruits grown in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The mean value of soluble magnesium percentage (SMgP) indicated that the quality of irrigation water has a value of 33.78%, which is less than the harmful level (>50%)
Summary
Citrus, olive, grape, mango, and guava are the major fruits grown in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The date palm contributes 57% to total fruit production and is cultivated in 63% of fruit-growing areas. It is cultivated on 152,705 ha, with an annual production of 1,541,769 tonnes. In arid and semi-arid regions, it is one of the main crops, providing food, nutrition, and building materials to the inhabitants [2,3]. Despite the water shortage in these areas, water is applied inefficiently to the fields, causing groundwater to be depleted [6,7]. Changes in the soil environment directly impact crop growth and production [8]. It is necessary to supplement soil moisture to maintain crop growth using various methods, the most significant of which is irrigation. Among the various options for water conservation, the use of suitable irrigation systems offers a feasible solution to inefficient water usage [10]
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