Biofertilizers in Date Palm Cultivation

Abstract

Abiotic and biotic stresses are significant environmental constraints that have detrimental effects on date palm growth and productivity. Climate change and agricultural mismanagement, including the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, have exacerbated these constraints, harmed date palm productivity, and so adversely affected oases ecosystems. The improvement of date palm productivity has become a global concern for a growing population in recent years. To meet this challenge, more investigations on sustainable tools to increase date palm cultivation and production are required. Implementing environmentally friendly strategies such as biofertilizers to improve date palm productivity under extreme conditions is promising. To improve date palm growth and productivity while also increasing its tolerance to environmental stresses, biofertilizers such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and organic fertilizers like compost and seaweed extracts (SWE) are used. These biofertilizers may help in the upregulation of date palm protective mechanisms by providing essential mineral nutrients while also improving growth and productivity under harsh conditions. By activating the antioxidant defense system and increasing photosynthetic activity, these biofertilizers may also help date palm to limit the harmful effects of environmental stresses.