Objectives:

1. The experiment aimed at evaluating the usage of mulch made by the residues of grind date palm tree as a cover on soil surface, and its influence to reduce the growth of weeds together with the water needs of date palm tree.
2. The utilization of dates residues (fronds, bases, fiber, and the remains of punches after being ground and added as a mulch on the surface of the basin of the tree.
3. Utilizing the natural residues to improve the characteristics of soil and reduce the random growth of weeds and the undesired plants.
4. Rationalize the water needs of date palm tree.
5. To conserve the environment from pollution.

Study was applied on date trees, khlas species aged 3 years, and included five treatments:

1. Without adding fertilizer.
2. Organic Fertilizer
3. Chemical + organic fertilizer 2- 1- 1kg.
4. Organic + chemical fertilizer, the first ratio from residues of date palm, thickness 10cm.
5. Organic + chemical fertilizer + the 2 nd ratio from the residues of date palm, thickness 20cm

All these treatments were randomly carried out in four repetitions.

Agricultural operations:

• Weeding operations was carried out through digging up soil in the basins of trees, leveling and straighten the shoulders.
• Organic fertilizer added according to treatments i.e. 15kg / date tree ( aged three years ), and chemical fertilizer (12 – 12 – 17 ) was scattered by 500 gm / tree in a trench inside the basin in depth of ( 20- 30 cm ). It was mixed well and covered by soil.
• Grind residues of date palm trees were added to treatments ( 4 &5) at 10cm thickness for treatment No.4 and No. 5 which nearly equals 40 kg and 80 kg. of residues respectively.
• Moisture content detectors of soil were fixed into the treatments on depths ( 30- 60- 90cm) for each repetition separately.
• Three portions of Urea were added during the season averaged 300gm / tree / time, and another quantity of compound fertilizer averaged 500gm / tree during the season.

Primary results:

- Effect of Mulch on weed

- Moisture content detectors were put in three depths in order to measure the daily contents of moisture for one week before starting irrigation works

Soil samples were taken for one week before starting irrigation works in order to record the relative humidity.
It was noticed that date palm trees can be irrigated once a week for the third treatment (NPR + OM) and for five times to other four treatments which indicate that the effect of Mulch waste is under observation, however the experiment is still under process.