Effects of irrigation interval and depth on fruit quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Barhee date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

It is necessary to recognize the critical growth stages of date palm to water deficit for Irrigation scheduling and management. This study was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments of irrigation: namely 50, 100, 150 and 200 mm with irrigation depth equal to 100% net irrigation requirement and 200 mm with irrigation depth equal to 50% net irrigation requirement after evaporation from class A pan during flowering and fruit set stages. The yield of each palm was determinated in harvest season. Also the fruits quantitative and qualitative characteristics such as weight, length, diameter, volume, pH, moisture, acidity, TSS, total sugar, N, P and K were measured. The results showed that irrigation treatments have significant effect on fruit weight, fruit diameter and yield. There was no significant differences between length, volume and qualitative characteristics of fruit. The highest water productivity and fruit weight, diameter and yield was obtained with irrigation after 50 mm evaporation from the class A pan.