Problems, Challenges and Approaches of Enhancing Water Productivity in Date Palms

Water productivity is one of important indices for optimum use of irrigation water. The studies show that mean water productivity is estimated 0.25 kg/m3 in date palm that is low compared to other countries. This situation indicates high losses of water in date groves. Water is the most important limiting factor of production in date palm. Therefore, use of suitable methods is important for increasing water productivity in date groves. The results of previous studies indicated that major problems and challenges of irrigation efficiency and water productivity in date palm are related to irrigation management. The water productivity of date groves can considerably be increased by accurate management and precise programing of irrigation. In this paper, the problems and challenges of water productivity in date groves and methods of increasing water productivity such as irrigation method, scheduling irrigation, usage of saline waters and wastewaters, determining water requirement of date cultivars and date groves drainage will be presented and discussed.