Typology and varietal biodiversity of date palm farms in the North-East of Algerian Sahara

Abstract

In Algerian desert, oases are characterized by the presence of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as a dominant species. This plant gives fruit but also creates a favourable microclimate for other crops. The date palm is essential for the oasis agro-ecosystem equilibrium, the latter being a group of small family farms, has been the subject of serious damages in recent years, it’s blossoming. Two cultivars are dominated redarding to their economic importance in local market with 96% (Ghars and Deglet Nour). Recently, a clear degradation of oases was noticed due to the lack of interest from growers to replace old and dead palms. These palm grove have aged palm, high height and a fragile stamina which limiting the cultural operations and affecting grimly the production. Actually, the old palm groves in the North-east of Algerian Sahara are divided into types: “Bour” and “Old palm groves”.