Date Palm
Traditional Omani crop irrigation practices for date palm cultivation, one of the top 10 date producers globally.
Season water
1200-1800 mm
Soil moisture target
70–85%
Recommended irrigation schedule
Adjust slightly based on soil type, local climate, and field observations.
Winter Months
Every 15-20 days
Spring Vegetative
Every 10-14 days
Flowering Pollination
Every 7-10 days
Fruit Development
Every 7-10 days
Ripening
Every 10-14 days
Best practices in the field
- Use drip irrigation for water efficiency and deep root penetration
- Critical irrigation during flowering and pollination for good fruit set
- Maintain consistent moisture during fruit development
- Reduce irrigation frequency in winter months
- Apply water in basins around tree base for traditional methods
- Monitor soil moisture at 60-100 cm depth for mature palms
Common mistakes to avoid
- Water stress during flowering causing poor fruit set
- Over-irrigation leading to shallow root development
- Insufficient water during fruit development causing small dates
- Irrigation during hot midday hours increasing evaporation
- Not adjusting irrigation schedule for seasonal changes