Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Long-term Europe-Africa Research and Innovation Partnership for Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Titre : GreenPalm : Development of sustainable date palm-based agro systems by preserving their biodiversity

Pays/Région : Spain ; Algeria ; Italy ; Portugal ; Tunisia

Date : Start date 2020-10-01 // End date 2023-09-30

Identifiant : 279-GREENPALM
Type de projet : Applied research project

Contexte
Date palm has long been one of the most important fruit crops for south Mediterranean countries, where dates are the main income source and staple food for some Mediterranean local populations. Algeria and Tunisia are among the major Mediterranean date producers. However, this fruit crop is currently in danger due to several constraints, such as genetic erosion due to the predominance of the elite cultivar Deglet Noor in modern plantations, anthropogenic spread of disease and pests, and drastic climatic conditions (drought, temperature etc.).

Objectif
The main objective of this proposal is to conserve the biodiversity and improve the sustainability of Mediterranean date-palm agrosystems by genetic, microbiological and technological approaches. GreenPalm focuses not only on conservation of genetic diversity of date palm cultivars with high added value, but also considers underexploited and neglected cultivars with culinary, cosmetics or medicinal roles.

Specific objectives
* To make a screening of P. dactilyfera varieties in southern Mediterranean basin in order to genetically describe the biodiversity of these endangered agro ecosystems.
* To study the palm tree rhizosphere and phyllosphere in order to develop and optimize pest and disease bio-control methods that contribute to agricultural sustainability.
* To obtain high value-added compounds useful as biocontrol agents and food ingredients to improve the socio-economic level of local population.
* Transfer of knowledge generated in the project, by implementation of good farming practices that are easily applicable and economically viable in date palm production areas

Coordinateur : CSIC - Spanish National Research Council
Partenaires : Saad Dahlab University National Research Council, Italy (CNR) University of Minho University of Gabes

Financement principal : Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) (H2020)
Budget : 703 600 EUR

FNSSA project database