Assessment of farmers practices to date palm soil fertilization and its impact on productivity at Al-Hassa oasis of KSA

Abstract

Al-Hassa oasis is considered as the biggest irrigated one in the World, being well known for its extensive date palm cultivation with an estimate of at least three million trees. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of soil fertilization practices on the productivity potential of date palm trees grown under the climatic conditions of Al-Hassa oasis, KSA. The opinions of 258 active farmers were randomly surveyed using specifically designed questioners that were also fortified with personal communications. The size of the samples was designated in accordance to Cocoran equation. The total samples were allocated into two major parts (193 for the old oasis and 65 for the new oasis). Results showed that the farm features (utilized agricultural area (UAA), ownership and labors) are different in both parts of the oasis. Fertilization practices (quantity applied per area or per tree) were diverse causing dissimilar productivity potentials (total or per area or tree). The average production of a tree in the old oasis is 81.4 kg, whilst it is 54.6 kg in the new oasis. Date palm production is significantly affected by total number of trees, applied fertilizer quantity, cultivated area and labor power. The impact of these factors is unlike between the two parts of the oasis. It is then concluded from the study that there are sincere needs for improving the soil fertilization practiced for the date palm trees grown in the Al-Hassa oasis, KSA in order to increase their productivity potential and hence improve the farmers income.