Date Palm

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 1,320 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 2,540 mm it can use in a normal year, and 2,290 mm in a dry year.

Heavy rain here can waterlog it. Grow it on raised beds or land that drains well.

Temperature

Grows best at 26–45 °C on average, and survives 10–52 °C.

Here, in its growing months (day / night):

• Jun 32 °C / 26 °C
• Jul 32 °C / 26 °C
• Aug 33 °C / 26 °C
• Sep 32 °C / 25 °C
• Oct 32 °C / 23 °C
• Nov 29 °C / 18 °C (outside its best range)
• Dec 26 °C / 15 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 24 °C / 12 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 26 °C / 15 °C (outside its best range)
• Mar 30 °C / 19 °C (outside its best range)
• Apr 31 °C / 22 °C
• May 33 °C / 24 °C
• Jun 32 °C / 26 °C

Months in orange are outside its best range.

Soil

Soil for Date Palm: 7 out of 10 (okay).

Not in the score: sulphur.

• Soil here is often too acidic for it.
• Many fields here are short of zinc, which it needs a lot.
• Most fields here are short of phosphorus.

Likes pH 6.5–8.0.

Money

Yield: about 31 quintals an acre, the typical figure across India (no figures for your state).

A new planting gives its first real harvest after about 5 years. The money here is for plants already bearing.

No mandi or support price for this crop yet.