Histochemical and ultrastructural analyses were carried out to assess structural and biochemical changes in date palm roots pretreated with salicylic acid (SA) then inoculated withFusarium oxysporumf. sp.albedinis(Foa). Flavonoids, induced proteins, and peroxidase activity were revealed in root tissues of SA-treated plants after challenge by Foa. These reactions were closely associated with plant resistance to Foa. Host reactions induced after inoculation of SA-treated plants with Foa included the plugging of intercellular spaces, the deposition of electron-dense materials at the sites of pathogen penetration, and several damages to fungal cells. On the other hand, untreated inoculated plants showed marked cell wall degradation and total cytoplasm disorganization, indicating the protective effects provided by salicylic acid in treated plants.

Understanding the response of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars to salt stress is essential for the sustainable management of phoeniculture in Tafilalet, Morocco. It offers a promising avenue for addressing the challenges presented by the increasing salinity of irrigation waters, especially because farmers in these regions often lack the necessary knowledge and resources to make informed decisions regarding cultivar selection. This study addresses this issue by investigating the performance of the most relied on cultivars by farmers in Tafilalet, namely Mejhoul, Boufeggous, Nejda, and Bouskri. These cultivars were exposed to a sodium chloride treatment of 154 mM, and their performances were evaluated over a three-month period. We examined the growth rate, photosynthesis-related parameters, pigments, water status in plants, and biochemical compounds associated with oxidative stress, osmotic stress, and ionic stress. Principle component analysis (PCA) effectively categorized the cultivars into two distinct groups: salt-sensitive (Mejhoul and Nejda) and salt-tolerant (Boufeggous and Bouskri). These findings provide valuable insights for farmers, highlighting the advantages of cultivating Boufeggous and Bouskri cultivars due to their superior adaptation to salt conditions. These cultivars exhibited moderate decrease in shoot growth (25%), enhanced catalase activity, a smaller increase in anthocyanin content, and greater enhancement in organic osmolytes compared with salt-sensitive cultivars like Mejhoul (experiencing an 87% reduction in shoot elongation) and Nejda (exhibiting the highest reduction in leaf area). Furthermore, the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio was positively influenced by salt stress, with Mejhoul and Nejda recording the highest values, suggesting its potential as an indicator of salt stress sensitivity in date palms.

This research investigates the impacts of climate change on date palm cultivation in the Drâa-Tafilalet oases of southeastern Morocco, employing a mixed-methods approach that combines on-the-ground observations and semi- structured interviews with 120 date palm farmers. Field observations across three key oases document widespread hazards and effects of climate-related stress on date palms, including disrupted flowering synchronicity, increased incidence of parthenocarpy, and heightened vulnerability to pests and diseases. A survey of these 120 farmers revealed the severity and interconnected nature of these impacts. Several farmers (30% in Boudnib, 40% in Errachidia and 40% in Zagora) observed multiple asynchronous flowering cycles per year, while parthenocarpy emerged as a significant concern, with prevalence ranging from 20% in Zagora to 40% in Boudnib. While 10–15% of farmers reported inflorescence rot, a concerning knowledge gap exists regarding effective preventative treatments, with only 3– 15% of farmers employing them. Farmer surveys further revealed that wind-driven mite infestations pose a growing threat, with 50% of farmers in Zagora reporting significant issues. The research explores ways to reduce the effects of climate change through methods like creating crops resistant to climate conditions, enhancing water supply systems, combining pest and pollinator control methods, and implementing new pollination approaches. Nevertheless, it highlights the need for tailored adaptation and mitigation strategies that incorporate both scientific knowledge and local, farmer-driven insights. The study emphasises the urgency of proactive measures to address the socioeconomic consequences of climate change on these culturally and economically vital oases.

La présente étude vise à examiner la diversité génétique des palmeraies traditionnelles du Tafilalet, la principale zone de culture du palmier dattier au Maroc. L’étude vise également à déterminer l’impact de la stratégie nationale de développement de la filière palmier dattier sur la préservation et la protection de cette diversité. L’enquête a été réalisée auprès de 226 exploitations agricoles réparties dans l’ensemble des palmeraies du Tafilalet, couvrant une superficie totale de 299 hectares. Pour évaluer cette diversité, l’indice de Shannon-Weaver (H) a été utilisé. En termes de richesse variétale, l’étude a identifié un total de 46 variétés, dont 19 % représentent 73 % de la population, les variétés Boufeggous et Mejhoul étant dominantes. L’étude a révélé des différences significatives entre les valeurs moyennes de l’indice de Shannon-Weaver des palmeraies de Boudnib (2,02), d’Errissani (1,67) et de Jorf (1,65). Un test de corrélation entre l’indice de Shannon et les pratiques agricoles modernes a montré qu’il n’y avait aucune corrélation entre les niveaux de diversité génétique et les pratiques agricoles modernes. Il existe par contre une corrélation significative entre les pratiques modernes et la superficie agricole. La modernisation des pratiques agricoles dans les palmeraies traditionnelles du Tafilalet est assez fortement liée à la taille des exploitations tandis que la diversité génétique dans les palmeraies n’a pas de liens évidents avec les structures ou les pratiques agricoles.