Ahvaz - Researchers in southern Iran are introducing modern irrigation and soil management techniques to help date palm growers cope with drought and water shortages.

 

Nader Salamati from the Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center said traditional surface irrigation methods are inefficient under current conditions. He recommended more targeted systems such as furrow and basin irrigation, which reduce water use and strengthen root growth.

 

He also highlighted the benefits of soil-applied potassium sulfate fertilizer and superabsorbent polymers, which retain and gradually release water in the root zone, improving plant resilience and irrigation efficiency.

 

According to Salamati, applying these research-based innovations can significantly lower costs and support sustainable date production in Iran’s arid southern regions.