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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #98543
Title: SOIL, WATER AND NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT OF DATE ORCHARDS IN COACHELLA VALEY AND BARD

Author
item Abdul Baki, Aref
item ASLAN, SAM - USDA, NRCS, INDIO, CA
item BEARDSLEY, ERIK - USDA, NRCS, INDIO, CA
item COBB, SAM - USDA, NRCS, INDIO, CA
item Shannon, Michael

Submitted to: United States Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/14/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Date production in the United States is localized in the Coachella Valley and BARD of southeast California. The California date growing industry, with an average annual value of $62 million, has been undergoing a gradual decline in fruit quality. The California Date Commission requested technical assistance from USDA/ARS to identify the causes of decline in fruit quality. A team of scientists headed by A. Abdul-Baki, Plant Physiologist at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, ARS, investigated the problem and concluded that decline in fruit quality and in the growth of the orchards was the result of poor soil fertility, high soil compaction and stratification, and poor permeation of irrigation water. All these were the result of the cultural practices that have been followed for many years. New management practices were introduced that utilize minimum tillage and planting deep rooted adapted cover crops to improve soil fertility, increase organic matter, reduce compaction, and reduce washing away of nutrients by irrigation water. The new practices reduced production cost, improved soil fertility, and stopped the decline in fruit quality. California date growers, processors, and other fruit growers (citrus and table grapes) in southeast California are the users of this technology.

Technical Abstract: In less than a century, date production in the United States developed into a major agricultural enterprise offering employment and economic stability to thousands of agricultural workers in southeast California. Total acreage planted into dates includes 5,640 acres in Coachella Valley and 600 acres in BARD, near Yuma, Arizona. Annual production value averages $62 million. The leading varieties are Deglet, Nour, Mejhool, Khadrawi, and Zahidi. During the last three decades, decline in fruit quality was noted and became the major concern of growers and processors. The California Date Commission requested the technical support of the Agricultural Research Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture, to investigate the causes of decline in fruit quality. In response to this request, a team of specialists headed by A. Abdul-Baki, Plant Physiologist, at Beltsville Agricultural Research center, investigated the problems and found it relating to low soil fertility, soil compaction and management practices that depleted the organic matter content of the sandy soils. Alternative cultural practices were introduced to replace clean and frequently practical cultivation. A low-input management system using cover crops and minimum tillage has replaced the conventional system that caused high soil compaction and reduced water infiltration. Detailed procedures are described in the Bulletin.