Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Effect of gel-formation and agristar on date palm yield and some physical properties of soil in arid region 

Author(s):

Mohammed Hussien Almarshadi

Recieved Date: 2012-01-29, Accepted Date: 2012-05-06

Abstract:

Field experiment was carried out at Agriculture Experimental Station of King Abdulaziz University located at Hada Alsham, Jeddah, KSA to investigate the effect of soil conditioners on water productivity and date palm yield production (Sheesh cultivar) during the growing seasons of 2009 and 2010. The soil texture was sandy loam. Eighteen female palms with similar vigor, height, pollen source and age (20 years old) were selected and subjected to the normal cultural practices applied for date palms. Six treatments were investigated under the current study. The treatments included control (T1), gel treatment (T2), Agristar treatments (T3 and T4) and a combination of  gel and Agristar treatments (T5 and T6). The experiment was subjected to drip irrigation. Results of the study revealed that gel formation increased date palm production and retained water in soils. It reduced soil bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture tension. T2 gave the highest date palm production especially in the second season. Agristar increased yield especially in the first season and enhanced soil physical properties, however, the enhancement was less than that in gel treatments or combination of gel and Agristar treatments. 

Keywords:

Date palm, drip irrigation, soil conditioners

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 418-423

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