ABOUT US

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest known fruit crops. This species requires a long, intensively hot summer with little rain, and a good access to water. In arid regions, such environment is only provided by oases, where this crop can establish a sustainable system in agricultural areas, by controlling air temperature, humidity and soil–water dynamics. This crop provides important resources for nomadic tribes and local populations, thus playing an important social role for the subsistence of a large population group. Despite the oases’ potential to tolerate several abiotic stresses, the ongoing climate change is enhancing the environmental pressure on date palms affecting their growth and development. South Mediterranean areas are facing a dramatic decrease in the diversity of their traditional date palm cultivars used for culinary, cosmetics or medicinal purposes. Improving their production and their socio-economical valorisation is crucial for developing a competitive sustainable agriculture with a high Mediterranean specificity in line with traditional and world policies. The main objective of this proposal is to conserve the biodiversity and improve the sustainability of Mediterranean date-palm agrosystems by genetic, microbiological and technological approaches.

Period of Implementation
Jun 1, 2020 - May 31, 2024
Total Budget
EUR 455,874.00

Project team

Partners

Donors

OUR IMPACT

Objectives

The main objective of this proposal is to conserve the biodiversity and improve the sustainability of Mediterranean date-palm agrosystems by genetic, microbiological and technological approaches. Specific objectives: To make a screening of P. dactilyfera varieties in southern Mediterranean basin in order to genetically describe the biodiversity of these endangered agro ecosystems. To study the palm tree rhizosphere and phyllosphere in order to develop and optimize  pest and disease bio-control methods that contribute to agricultural sustainability To obtain high value-added compounds useful as biocontrol agents and food ingredients to improve the socio-economic level of local population Transfer of knowledge generated in the project, by implementation of good farming practices that are easily applicable and economically viable in date palm production areas.

Problems and Needs Analysis

Despite the oases’ potential to tolerate several abiotic stresses, the ongoing climate change is enhancing the environmental pressure on date palms affecting their growth and development. South Mediterranean areas are facing a dramatic decrease in the diversity of their traditional date palm cultivars used for culinary, cosmetics or medicinal purposes. Improving their production and their socio-economical valorisation is crucial for developing a competitive sustainable agriculture with a high Mediterranean specificity in line with traditional and world policies.

Impact Pathway

Although the different results of the project have an impact on the scientific community, the technicians who will act in the field and the administrations, the main beneficiaries of this project must be the agrarian communities that grow the date palms of the Mediterranean countries, of which Tunisia constitute a "pilot" experience that can be replicated to others.                The Database on Genetic Biodiversity of the Palm Agro-ecosystems of the selected oases will be available for local, regional and national administration, and will allow them to plan new date palm plantations adapted to adverse weather conditions and produce higher quality dates.           The project will provide a comprehensive view of microbial communities driving the biological functioning and diseases for enhancing soil sustainability and a better understanding of links between Oligonychus afrasiaticus (dust mite) pest and plant diversity and ecosystem functioning. This will lead in the development of marginal land for agricultural production and rehabilitation of degraded soils. It will thus contribute to define new agricultural practices aiming at improving productivity in line with environmental policies as well as providing economic alternatives with added value for south Mediterranean countries.           In relation to the circular economy, the project proposes date cultivation and production byproducts as a source of new food ingredients and phytosanitaries. These uses added to the traditional crop will allow new income sources to the agricultural communities and the possibility of taking advantage of the tons of waste annually produced from the date palm cultivation.

WHERE WE WORK