Sustainable oases agriculture: A journey through Morocco’s date palm production system

In the heart of Moroccan oases, date palm trees stand as the lifeblood of local communities, serving as both a livelihood cornerstone and a dietary treasure trove. Morocco has long been a leading date fruit producer. Yet, amidst the palm groves, several environmental, technical, and socio-economic challenges have threatened the sustainability of this ancient crop. This study assesses the constraints and limitations of the date palm production system in Tafilalet oases that have kept this crop from reaching its full potential. A total of 56 producers were interviewed using an open- closed survey, illuminating interviews with key informants, dynamic focus group discussions, and direct observations in palm groves. The findings reveal that primary restrictions and barriers impeding the progress of this sector are: producers’ moderate education level and the limited adoption of technological innovation, few opportunities given to young producers, palm groves’ fragmentation, poor management of date fruits, low imports of the necessary inputs (fertilisers, irrigation, etc.), and the poor organisation of the marketing circuit (storage and packaging). Advocate renewed commitment to preserve and modernise palm groves, blending heritage with modern practices for thriving, sustainable date palm production. It is entirely conceivable to produce organic dates in the region since producers use a few quantities of chemical products, notably fertilisers and phytosanitary products

Characterization of plant growth-promoting mechanisms of rhizobacteria from the rhizosphere of date palms in tafilalet oases

Tafilalet is the largest oases in Morocco, but it is threatened by climatic and environmental stress like drought, soil degradation as well as plant diseases, in particular Fusarium wilt of date palm caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp albedinis (Foa). Soils are poor in terms of organic matter, nutrient concentrations and biological activity resulting in a dramatic decrease in date palm growth. Improving date palm productivity is regularly achieved by the excessive application of chemical fertilizers, which are harmful for human health and environment. In this work, we aimed at screening the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) and at the same time acting as biocontrol agents against Foa. Rhizobacteria associated with date palm and spontaneous plants in Tafilalet oases have been isolated and functionally characterized. Several plant growth promoting and biocontrol traits were investigated, including nutrients solubilization, and the production secondary metabolites and enzymes. Results showed that 97 % of strains was effective in N-fixation, 36 % in ammonia production, 90 % in P-solubilization. The Siderophores and Indol 3-acetic acid production were observed at 30 and 32 strains respectively. Besides, 78 % of strains had an inhibitory effect against Foa, in which 42 % completely inhibited the mycelia growth on PDA medium. Several strains produced cellulase, protease, amylase, chitinase and other secondary metabolites like hydrogen cyanide. Based on these results, consortia of efficient PGPRs could be selected and used as efficient microorganisms for future greenhouse and field experiments

Effect of PGPR and mixed cropping on mycorrhizal status, soil fertility, and date palm productivity under organic farming system

A field study was carried out for two years at an organic farm under arid climate in Morocco to investigate the effect of an integrated biofertilization approach on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) abundance and infectivity, soil fertility, yield, and fruit quality of date palm. The biofertilization approach included three management practices namely application of compost, inoculation with a consortium of native PGPR strains originally isolated from date palms of Drâa-Tafilalet region (Pseudomonas koreensis, Serratia nematodiphila, S. marcescens, and Klebsiella sp.) and using mixed-cropping with sorghum. Accordingly, four treatments were established in this study: 1) mixed-cropping with sorghum, 2) PGPR inoculation, 3) sorghum + PGPR, and 4) control (without sorghum or PGPR). All treatments received compost as organic amendment. Results revealed that mixed-cropping with sorghum significantly increased AMF colonization intensity and spore density by more than 50% and 29%, respectively. Sorghum association also resulted in a significant increase in organic matter concentrations of up to 2.95% against 2.45% in monocropping soils. The integrated biofertilization approach resulted in the highest yield with an increase rate of 10.6% and 12.1% in the first and the second year, respectively compared to date palms receiving compost alone. Similarly, the mineral composition and quality characteristics of date fruits were significantly improved. The enhancement of soil fertility and date palm productivity under harsh environmental conditions represents a first step towards the adoption of sustainable practices in the region and in similar areas

Fecal pollution indicators removal by a vertical Multi-Soil-Layering system in domestic wastewater in Morocco

The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of the vertical Multi-Soil-Layering filter (V-MSL) to remove indicators of fecal pollution from domestic wastewater under Moroccan conditions. To do this, a V-MSL filter measuring 20 cm deep, 60 cm wide, 78 cm high was installed near the guardian's house of the Razi’s middle school in Meknes to treat domestic wastewater. Three hydraulic loads (250 L/m2/day, 350 L/m2/day and 500 L/m2/day) were tested. This filter showed an average reduction of (97.5 ± 0.3)%, (97.7 ± 0.4)% and (96.0 ± 0.7)%, for total coliforms, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci, respectively. The performance of the filter was not affected a lot when changing the hydraulic head from 250 L/m2/day to 500 L/m2/day. The bacterial load concentrations at the filter outlet are slightly higher than the WHO recommended standard (1000 CFU / 100mL) for reuse of wastewater in irrigation. To remedy this situation, we recommend the adoption of the principle of treatment of excreta at the source by the use of dry toilets and the treatment of gray water only by the V-MSL filter

Integrated pest management (IPM) for Ectomyelois ceratoniae on date palm

International audienceEctomyelois ceratoniae integrated pest management defines three main keys: Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), post-harvest chemical control and biological control. Each component is described with information on its implementation, adoption and importance in palm groves. The SIT, a control tool using gamma radiation to sterilize male and/or female moths before release, has been shown to significantly reduce density in subsequent generations. Alternatively, date fumigation with CO2, ethyl formate or eucalyptus essential oils has proven to be a promising control alternative to fumigation with methyl bromide. However, biological control can be considered as the most environmentally friendly and better option against this pest. A lipopeptide biosurfactant produced by Bacillus subtilis SPB1 has been shown to be very effective against E. ceratoniae infesting stored dates. In addition, the combined application of Bacillus thuringiensis with the release of parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma, Phanerotoma or Bracon would be a promising control approach

Impact of Innovation Platforms in Promoting the Dissemination of Biotechnological Innovation: Case of Compost in Date Palm in Southeastern Morocco

The sustainability of date palm production in Tafilalet’s palm groves is threatened by many constraints related to the dryland's severe environment, climate change, and improper human activities. Biotechnological innovations are new agricultural research discoveries increasingly used to improve agricultural sustainability. For example compost, has proven its benefits in facing date palm production constraints, improving its productivity, and enhancing soil health. Using linear approaches has proven their ineffectiveness to disseminate the advantages of innovations to small producers. As an alternative, Innovation Platforms (IPs) constitute a participatory approach based on a multi-stakeholder alliance for disseminating innovations. This article aimed to study the effects of IPs on the compost adoption and dissemination process as well as evaluate compost impacts on the production of dates. Two types of investigation tools were conducted on members of 47 IPs. Data were analyzed using factorial analysis, content analysis, and communication network analysis. The results show that IPs are a new organizational innovation impacting positively on date palm social systems. They create powerful collective learning through their strong dynamism and interaction. The producers who adopted compost are characterized by a high level of education, take a responsible position in GIE, have a large social network, interact with the research team and other producers, engage and participate in the activities of IPs, search for agricultural news, and have the ability to accept change and develop their skills. Compost can improve the water-holding capacity of soil, increase yield, and reduce expenses by decreasing the need for water, fertilizers, and phytosanitary treatments. Compost is the best alternative to face the environmental and climate change drawbacks on the production of dates

Impact of Innovation Platforms in Promoting the Dissemination of Biotechnological Innovation – Case of Compost in Date Palm in Southeastern Morocco

The sustainability of date palm production in Tafilalet’s palm grovesis threatened by many constraints related to the dryland’s severe environment, climate change, and improper human activities. Biotechnological innovations are new agricultural research discoveries increasingly used to improve agricultural sustainability. For example compost, has proven its benefits in facing date palm production constraints, improving its productivity, and enhancing soil health. Using linear approaches has proven their ineffectiveness to disseminate the advantages of innovations to small producers. As an alternative, Innovation Platforms (IPs) constitute a participatory approach based on a multi-stakeholder alliance for disseminating innovations. This article aimed to study the effects of Ips on the compost adoption and dissemination process as well as evaluate compost impacts on the production of dates. Two types of investigation tools were conducted on members of 47 IPs. Data were analyzed using factorial analysis, content analysis, and communication network analysis. The results show that IPs are a new organizational innovation impacting positively on date palm social systems. They create powerful collective learning through their strong dynamism and interaction. The producers who adopted compost are characterized by a high level of education, take a responsible position in GIE, have a large social network, interact with the research team and other producers, engage and participate in the activities of IPs, search for agricultural news, and have the ability to accept change and develop their skills. Compost can improve the water-holding capacity of soil, increase yield, and reduce expenses by decreasing the need for water, fertilizers, and phytosanitary treatments. Compost is the best alternative to face the environmental and climate change drawbacks on the production of dates

Effect of Organic Amendment on Soil Fertility, Mineral Nutrition, and Yield of Majhoul Date Palm Cultivar in Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

The low fertility in soils where date palms are grown in Morocco is the first cause leading to low yields when compared to other producing countries. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of organic amendment on mineral nutrition and yield of Majhoul date palm cultivar under Moroccan oasis conditions in relation with soil fertility. A field study was carried out for 2 years at two farms located at different sites in Drâa-Tafilalet region (Jorf and Tinjdad). The effect of different fertilization treatments on soil organic matter mineralization, soil mineral nutrients, plant nutrition, and date palm yield was investigated. The four treatments that were studied in this experiment are described as follows: mineral nitrogen (urea), organic amendment (compost), organic amendment combined with mineral nitrogen, and control with no fertilization. The compost, alone or combined with urea, enhanced the soil fertility through the improvement of the soil organic matter content and its mineralization and the increase in soil macro- and microelement concentrations at two depths compared to the urea alone and the control. The mineral nutrition of date palms was significantly enhanced by applying compost and/or urea. The application of compost combined with urea, for 2 years, increased the yield at Jorf farm by more than 78% and at Tinjdad farm by 41%. The adoption of the fertilization management, based on the application of both compost and urea, could restore the degraded soils, increase the date palm yield, and ensure more returns to farmers