IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v12y2022i3p343-d760600.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effects of Automated Irrigation Systems and Water Regimes on Soil Properties, Water Productivity, Yield and Fruit Quality of Date Palm

Author

Listed:
  • Mishari A. Alnaim

    (Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia)

  • Magdy S. Mohamed

    (Department of Soil and Water, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt)

  • Maged Mohammed

    (Date Palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
    Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koum 32514, Egypt)

  • Muhammad Munir

    (Date Palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Mishari A. Alnaim & Magdy S. Mohamed & Maged Mohammed & Muhammad Munir, 2022. "Effects of Automated Irrigation Systems and Water Regimes on Soil Properties, Water Productivity, Yield and Fruit Quality of Date Palm," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:3:p:343-:d:760600
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/3/343/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/3/343/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alikhani-Koupaei, Majid & Fatahi, Reza & Zamani, Zabihollah & Salimi, Saeedeh, 2018. "Effects of deficit irrigation on some physiological traits, production and fruit quality of ‘Mazafati’ date palm and the fruit wilting and dropping disorder," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 219-227.
    2. Albasha, Rami & Mailhol, Jean-Claude & Cheviron, Bruno, 2015. "Compensatory uptake functions in empirical macroscopic root water uptake models – Experimental and numerical analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 22-39.
    3. Hanson, B. & May, D., 2004. "Effect of subsurface drip irrigation on processing tomato yield, water table depth, soil salinity, and profitability," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Hassanli, Ali Morad & Ebrahimizadeh, Mohammad Ali & Beecham, Simon, 2009. "The effects of irrigation methods with effluent and irrigation scheduling on water use efficiency and corn yields in an arid region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 96(1), pages 93-99, January.
    5. Deng, Xi-Ping & Shan, Lun & Zhang, Heping & Turner, Neil C., 2006. "Improving agricultural water use efficiency in arid and semiarid areas of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 80(1-3), pages 23-40, February.
    6. Tripler, Effi & Shani, Uri & Mualem, Yechezkel & Ben-Gal, Alon, 2011. "Long-term growth, water consumption and yield of date palm as a function of salinity," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 99(1), pages 128-134.
    7. Pereira, Luis Santos & Oweis, Theib & Zairi, Abdelaziz, 2002. "Irrigation management under water scarcity," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(3), pages 175-206, December.
    8. Wilcox, Lloyd V., 1958. "Determining the Quality of Irrigation Water," Agricultural Information Bulletins 308859, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    9. Boubaker Dhehibi & Mohamed Ben Salah & Aymen Frija, 2019. "Date Palm Value Chain Analysis and Marketing Opportunities for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries," Chapters, in: Surendra N. Kulshreshtha (ed.), Agricultural Economics - Current Issues, IntechOpen.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Fatima-Zahra Akensous & Mohamed Anli & Abdelilah Meddich, 2022. "Biostimulants as Innovative Tools to Boost Date Palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) Performance under Drought, Salinity, and Heavy Metal(Oid)s’ Stresses: A Concise Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-30, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Calzadilla, Alvaro & Rehdanz, Katrin & Tol, Richard S.J., 2008. "Water scarcity and the impact of improved irrigation management: A CGE analysis," Conference papers 331788, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    2. Palatnik, Ruslana & Shechter, Mordechai, 2008. "Can Climate Change Mitigation Policy be Beneficial for the Israeli Economy? A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis," Conference papers 331792, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    3. Rey, D. & Holman, I.P. & Daccache, A. & Morris, J. & Weatherhead, E.K. & Knox, J.W., 2016. "Modelling and mapping the economic value of supplemental irrigation in a humid climate," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 13-22.
    4. Fang, Q.X. & Ma, L. & Green, T.R. & Yu, Q. & Wang, T.D. & Ahuja, L.R., 2010. "Water resources and water use efficiency in the North China Plain: Current status and agronomic management options," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(8), pages 1102-1116, August.
    5. Hassanli, Ali Morad & Ahmadirad, Shahram & Beecham, Simon, 2010. "Evaluation of the influence of irrigation methods and water quality on sugar beet yield and water use efficiency," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 357-362, February.
    6. Alvaro Calzadilla & Katrin Rehdanz & Richard S.J. Tol, 2008. "The Eonomic Impact Of More Sustainable Water Use In Agriculture: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis," Working Papers FNU-169, Research unit Sustainability and Global Change, Hamburg University, revised Dec 2008.
    7. Zhang, Biao & Fu, Zetian & Wang, Jieqiong & Zhang, Lingxian, 2019. "Farmers’ adoption of water-saving irrigation technology alleviates water scarcity in metropolis suburbs: A case study of Beijing, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 349-357.
    8. Jeet Chand & Guna Hewa & Ali Hassanli & Baden Myers, 2020. "Evaluation of Deficit Irrigation and Water Quality on Production and Water Productivity of Tomato in Greenhouse," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    9. Chilundo, Mario & Joel, Abraham & Wesström, Ingrid & Brito, Rui & Messing, Ingmar, 2016. "Effects of reduced irrigation dose and slow release fertiliser on nitrogen use efficiency and crop yield in a semi-arid loamy sand," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 68-77.
    10. Agami, Ramadan A. & Alamri, Saad A.M. & Abd El-Mageed, T.A. & Abousekken, M.S.M. & Hashem, Mohamed, 2018. "Role of exogenous nitrogen supply in alleviating the deficit irrigation stress in wheat plants," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 261-270.
    11. Xiaoxia Zou & Yu-e Li & Qingzhu Gao & Yunfan Wan, 2012. "How water saving irrigation contributes to climate change resilience—a case study of practices in China," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 111-132, February.
    12. Li, Yue & Chen, Ji & Feng, Hao & Dong, Qin’ge & Siddique, Kadambot H.M., 2021. "Responses of canopy characteristics and water use efficiency to ammoniated straw incorporation for summer maize (Zea mays L.) in the Loess Plateau, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    13. Liao, Yang & Cao, Hong-Xia & Xue, Wen-Kai & Liu, Xing, 2021. "Effects of the combination of mulching and deficit irrigation on the soil water and heat, growth and productivity of apples," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    14. Zheng, Jianhua & Huang, Guanhua & Jia, Dongdong & Wang, Jun & Mota, Mariana & Pereira, Luis S. & Huang, Quanzhong & Xu, Xu & Liu, Haijun, 2013. "Responses of drip irrigated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) yield, quality and water productivity to various soil matric potential thresholds in an arid region of Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 181-193.
    15. Yuan, M. & Zhang, L. & Gou, F. & Su, Z. & Spiertz, J.H.J. & van der Werf, W., 2013. "Assessment of crop growth and water productivity for five C3 species in semi-arid Inner Mongolia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 28-38.
    16. Gudeta Genemo & Habtamu Bedane & Eshetu Mekonen, 2023. "On-farm evaluation of drip irrigation system on coffee production in Western Oromia, Ethiopia," International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology (IJARIT), IJARIT Research Foundation, vol. 13(1), June.
    17. Andarzian, B. & Bannayan, M. & Steduto, P. & Mazraeh, H. & Barati, M.E. & Barati, M.A. & Rahnama, A., 2011. "Validation and testing of the AquaCrop model under full and deficit irrigated wheat production in Iran," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 100(1), pages 1-8.
    18. Yang, Danni & Li, Sien & Kang, Shaozhong & Du, Taisheng & Guo, Ping & Mao, Xiaomin & Tong, Ling & Hao, Xinmei & Ding, Risheng & Niu, Jun, 2020. "Effect of drip irrigation on wheat evapotranspiration, soil evaporation and transpiration in Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    19. Wang, Linlin & Li, Qiang & Coulter, Jeffrey A. & Xie, Junhong & Luo, Zhuzhu & Zhang, Renzhi & Deng, Xiping & Li, Linglin, 2020. "Winter wheat yield and water use efficiency response to organic fertilization in northern China: A meta-analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    20. Heidarpour, M. & Mostafazadeh-Fard, B. & Abedi Koupai, J. & Malekian, R., 2007. "The effects of treated wastewater on soil chemical properties using subsurface and surface irrigation methods," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 90(1-2), pages 87-94, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:3:p:343-:d:760600. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.