Date Palm Status and Perspective in Tunisia (original) (raw)

2015, Date Palm Genetic Resources and Utilization

Date palm is one of the most important fruit trees grown in southern Tunisia and represents a good cash crop for many farmers. Here, we provide an overview of the Tunisian date palm status. In fact, this important subtropical fruit crop is currently in danger due to several constraints such as anthropogenic spread of disease, water shortages, salinization, and irregular climatic conditions. In addition, Tunisian date palm is threatened by genetic erosion as a consequence of the predominance of the elite cultivar Deglet Noor in modern plantations and the disappearance of many cultivars with medium and low fruit qualities. A series of successful experiments were widely applied for micropropagation of endangered cultivars. Many exhaustive resource inventory programs of date palms have been done in Tunisia. Tunisian genetic diversity was studied by using morphological and molecular markers; some are related to agronomic traits. Tunisian date production increased during recent decades and represents more than 18 % of the national tree production. Tons of cull dates are rejected by processing industries, and attempts to develop new products are supported by research programs. However, the major products are currently destined for exportation because of limited local marketing and the dietary habits of the Tunisian people.