Crop Suitability Maps for Potential Cash Crops: Middle and South Jordan Valley

This report focuses on eight fruit crops (apricot, avocado, mango, fig, litchi, peach, nectarine, and pistachio) and two vegetable crops (artichoke and sweet potato). The requirements for each crop including climate, soil and water are listed in Appendix I. Some of these crops (i.e. apricot, peach, nectarine, and pistachio) require a specific chilling period to stimulate fruiting. Since different varieties have different chilling requirements, care must be taken to select the right variety for each area according to their chill hours. According to the Meteorological Department, Agro meteorological Directorate (2003) and information from weather stations in Deir Alla and Baqura, the period with temperature of 0.1 – 7.0°C during November to March, in the Jordan Valley is insufficient for deciduous fruit trees. While other crops, such as avocado and mango are more suited, attention must be given to the selection of the appropriate rootstock, which will determine their ultimate adaptability to different soil and water conditions.