Response of Medjool Dates to Boron under Conditions of Salinity

Lysimeter Study

At the Arava Research Station at Yotvata, Israel, 20 Medjool variety date palm trees from tissue culture were planted in large (1 m3) lysimeters in local topsoil (Arava sandy loam) in the fall of 2000. A year after planting, after the trees had developed sufficient root and canopy systems, experimental treatments began. The lysimeters are irrigated with water containing combinations of 4 salinity levels and 5 boron concentrations. Salinity levels are 0.5, 4, 8 and 12 dS·m-1 and boron concentrations are 0.3, 2, 5, 20, and 40 mg·l-1 B. The lysimeters are each irrigated with 120% of their actual evapotranspiration measured daily.

Throughout the experiment the relationships between boron and salt and the consequences of both of them, individually and together on date growth and production are monitored.  Among the measurements made are:

  1. Visual signs of stress
  2. Boron, Cl and Na concentrations in leaf and root plant material, in soil and in leachate.
  3. Total water use (actual evapotranspiration).
  4. Evapotranspiration rates over the course of a day and over the course of the season.
  5. Growth rates and yields.

Results from the experiment are used to determine crop response functions to salinity and to boron. Results will be compared to those from running the models which predict water use and growth based on climate and crop data.

In the winter of 2002-2003, dates were transferred to 2.5 cubic meter lysimeters each of which sits on a scale providing ongoing monitoring of weight of system. Fruit harvest is expected from 2004. Results from the experiment so far can be found in the “reports” section.

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