A field experiment was conducted in 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of
fertigation on yield, fruit quality and nutrient uptake of ‘Nabbut-Ahmar’ date
palm cultivar grown in sandy loam soil. Three fertigation treatments were
compared with traditional application. In traditional treatment (CT), the
recommended dose [2300 g nitrogen (N), 1200 g phosphorus (P) and 1400 g/
tree] was applied as a soil broadcast in three equal doses. The fertigation
treatments, (T2), (T3) and (T4), represent all nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium (NPK) amounts of CT, 2/3 CT and 1/3 CT, respectively that were
injected in twelve equal doses. The results showed that compared to CT, the
fertigation treatments increased yield/palm by 41%, 31% and 18% for T3, T2
and T4, respectively. Beside the increase in yield, 33% and 66% of the applied
fertilizers were saved by T3 and T4, respectively, compared with CT.
Feritgation treatments had no negative impact on the overall fruit quality
characteristics and even increased total soluble solids (TSS), soluble tannins
and total phenols concentrations compared to the conventional fertilization.
Availability of NPK increased by fertigation but without further increase in
leaves and fruit. In conclusion applying 2/3 of the recommended dose of NPK
fertilizers under dry land condition through fertigation maximize yield,
quality and fertilizer use efficiency.