Effect of Mycorrhizal Treatment on Date Palm Growth under Marginal Conditions

Objectives:

1. Evaluate the effect of Mycorrhizal colonization on date palm trees’ survival, fruit initiation and early growth
2. Assess the effect of long-term use of marginal quality irrigation water on properties of soil with and without Mycorrhizal treatment
3. Assess the effect of Mycorrhizal treatment on date palm fruit yield and quality

Date of Planting: 2012

Variables:

• Date palm varieties: Khalas and Khnizi
• Replications: 3
• Salinity levels: 4 (0 dS/m, 5 dS/m, 10 dS/m, 15 dS/m)
• Treatments: 2 (with and without Mycorrhiza)
• Planting arrangement: Systematic planting in rows within each salinity level

This experiment is conducted as part of ICBA’s long-running research on organic and inorganic soil enhancers. The experiment aims to establish how mycorrhizal treatment affects date palm growth under marginal conditions. It is focused on:

1. Evaluating the effect of mycorrhizal colonization on date palm trees’ survival, fruit initiation, and early growth;
2. Assessing the effect of long-term use of low-quality irrigation water on soil properties with and without mycorrhizal treatment;
3. Assessing the effect of mycorrhizal treatment on date palm fruit yield and quality.