Abstract:
This study was carried out in the semi-arid eastern slopes of Bethlehem during 2018/2019, in com pletely randomized design. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of using
different soil moisture conservation techniques on almond seedlings, in order to increase seedlings
survival rate during the first year after planting under drought conditions. Four soil moisture con servation techniques (cocoon, superabsorbent-hydrogel, black plastic mulch and half-moon) and
the control were examined to measure their impact on the survival rate, average increase in plant
height, average increase in stem diameter, leaf area, branch length of almond (Prunus amygdalus,
var. Um Al-Fahm) seedlings in addition to the soil moisture content during the first year after plant ing. The results of this study revealed significant positive effects for all the treatments compared
to the control. At the end of the first summer season, the cocoon treatment was superior over the
other treatments in term of survival rate (66.8%), average increase in plant height (22.75 cm), stem
diameter (0.25 cm), branch length (94.33 cm), leaf area (4.83 cm2
) and soil moisture content fol lowed by black plastic mulch. Cocoon is highly recommended in such conditions due to the high est results in term of soil moisture content, growth parameters and survival rate. Also, black plastic
mulch revealed good results and it could be recommended due to the lower time consuming and
implementing effort.
