Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Date Palm Status and Perspective in Tunisia

  • Chapter
Date Palm Genetic Resources and Utilization

Abstract

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abbès F, Bouaziz MA, Blecker C et al (2011) Date syrup: effect of hydrolytic enzymes (pectinase/cellulase) on physicochemical characteristics, sensory and functional properties. LWT – Food Sci Tech 44:1827–1834

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abbès F, Kchaou W, Blecker C et al (2013) Effect of processing conditions on phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of date syrup. Ind Crop Prod 44:634–642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldryhim Y (2008) Dubas bug. In: Capinera JL (ed) Encyclopedia of entomology, 4th edn. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 1254–1256

    Google Scholar 

  • Baaziz M, Majourhat K, Bendiab K (2000) Date palm culture in the Maghreb countries: constraints and scientific research. Proceedings of the date palm international symposium, Windhoek, 22–25 Feb, pp 306–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Baraud J (1985) Coléoptères Scarabaeidae. Faune du nord de l’Afrique, du Maroc au Sinaï. Paris France. Editions Paul Lechevalier. Encyclopédie Entomologie XLVI:652

    Google Scholar 

  • Bchini H (2006) Quelques critères morphologiques de sélection indirecte des pollinisateurs a effet metaxénique chez la variété de palmier dattier ‘Deglet Nour’ de Tunisie (French). Plant Gen Res Newsl (IPGRI/FAO) 145:46–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Abdallah A, Stiti K, Lepoivre P, Du Jardin P (2000) Identification de cultivars de palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.) par l’amplification aléatoire d’ADN (RAPD). Cah Étud Recher Francoph/Agr 9:103–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Chaaban S, Chermiti B, Kreiter S (2011) Oligonychus afrasiaticus and phytoseiid predators’ seasonal occurrence on date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. (Deglet Noor cultivar) in Tunisian oases. Bull Insect 64(1):15–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Salah M (1993) Description phénopomologique de 13 cultivars de palmier dattier des oasis tunisiennes. Rev Reg Arid 5:3–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Salah M (2012) Rapport d’expertise technique sur la biodiversite oasienne en Tunisie. RADDO & ASOC, Gabès

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Salah M, Hellali R (2004) Description phénopomologique et la distribution des variétés de palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Rev Reg Arid (spec num):64–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Salah R, Jaouadi B, Bouaziz A et al (2011) Fermentation of date palm juice by curdlan gum production from Rhizobium radiobacter ATCC 6466: purification, rheological and physico-chemical characterization. LWT – Food Sci Tech 44:1026–1034

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benkhalifa A (1999) Gestion de la diversité génétique du palmier dattier en Algérie. Paper presented at the workshop constitution et organisation d’équipes de recherche scientifique dans les domaines de foresterie et des arbres fruitiers, Marrakech, 13–15 Apr

    Google Scholar 

  • Besbes S, Cheikh-Rouhou S, Blecker C et al (2006) Voies de valorisation des pulpes de dattes. Microbiol Hyg Aliment 18:3–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Besbes S, Drira L, Blecker C et al (2009) Adding value to hard date (Phoenix dactylifera L.): compositional, functional and sensory characteristics of date jam. Food Chem 112:406–411

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Billotte N, Marseillac N, Brottier P et al (2004) Nuclear microsatellite markers for the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.): characterization and utility across the genus Phoenix and in other palm genera. Mol Ecol Notes 4:256–258

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borchani C, Besbes S, Blecker C et al (2010) Chemical properties of 11 date cultivars and their corresponding fiber extracts. Afr J Biotech 9:4096–4105

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borchani C, Besbes S, Masmoudi M et al (2012) Influence of oven-drying temperature on physicochemical and functional properties of date fiber concentrates. Food Bioproc Tech 5:1541–1551

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bornet B, Branchard M (2001) Non anchored inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers: reproducible and specific tools for genome fingerprinting. Plant Mol Biol Report 19:209–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaira N, Mrabet A, Mtaoua H et al (2009) Characterization of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) juices obtained from common varieties grown in Tunisia. Rev Rég Arid (spec num):69–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Chebbi H (2011) First record of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus on Phoenix canariensis in Tunisia. Tunis J Plant Prot 6(2):149–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhouibi MH (1991) Les principaux ravageurs des palmiers dattier et de la date en Tunisie.- Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie, Laboratoire d’Entomologie-Ecologie, Tunis

    Google Scholar 

  • Djerbi M (1995) Précis de phoeniciculture. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling TE, Moritz C, Palmer JD, Rieseberg LH (1996) Nucleic acids IV: analysis of fragments and restriction sites. In: Hillis DM, Moritz C, Mable BK (eds) Molecular systematics. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, pp 249–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Drira N, Benbadis A (1985) Multiplication végétative du palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.) par réversion en culture in vitro d’ébauche florale de pieds femelle. J Plant Phys 119:227–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elleuch M, Besbes S, Roiseux O et al (2008) Date flesh: chemical composition and characteristics of the dietary fibre. Food Chem 111:676–682

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FAO/IAEA (2001) Plant Breed Genet Newsletter

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferchichi A, Hamza H (2008) Le patrimoine génétique phoenicicole des oasis continentales tunisiennes. Institut des Régions Arides, Medenine

    Google Scholar 

  • Fki L, Masmoudi R, Drira N, Rival A (2003) An optimised protocol for plant regeneration from embryogenic suspension cultures of date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Deglet Nour. Plant Cell Rep 21(6):517–524

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fki L, Bouaziz N, Kriaa W et al (2011a) Multiple bud cultures of ‘Barhee’ date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and physiological status of regenerated plants. J Plant Phys 168(14):1694–1700

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fki L, Masmoudi R, Kriaa W et al (2011b) Date palm micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis. In: Jain SM, Al-Khayri JM, Johnson DV (eds) Date palm biotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 47–68

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fki L, Bouaziz N, Chkir O et al (2013) Cold hardening and sucrose treatment improve cryopreservation of date palm meristems. Biol Plant 57(2):375–379

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghazouani W, Marlet S, Mekki I, Vidal A (2009) Farmers’ perceptions and engineering approach in the modernization of a community-managed irrigation scheme. A case study from an oasis of the Nefzawa (South of Tunisia). Irr Drain 58:285–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Groupement Interprofessionnel des Fruits (GIF) (2011) http://www.gifruits.com/

  • Hajji N (1997) The modernization of Tunisian oases: achievements and challenges. In: Jouve A (ed) The modernization of Mediterranean agricultural systems (in memory of Pierre Coulomb), vol 29, Options Méditerranéennes: Série A. Séminaires Méditerranéens. CIHEAM-IAMM, Montpellier, pp 257–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamza H, Mokhtar E, Mahmoudi K et al (2006) Mesure de l’état de la biodiversité dans les oasis de Kébili. Actes du séminaire international: Gestion des ressources et applications biotechnologiques en aridoculture et cultures oasiennes: Perspectives pour la valorisation des potentialités du Sahara. Djerba (Tunisie) 25–28 Dec 2006. Revue des Régions Arides (spec num):194–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamza H, Rejili M, Elbekkay M, Fercichi A (2009) New approach for the morphological identification of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars from Tunisia. Pak J Bot 41:2671–2681

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamza H, Vendramin GG, Ferchichi Ali (2010) Etude de la diversité de la population du palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.) dans les oasis continentales tunisiennes à l’aide des marqueurs microsatellites. Actes du 3ème Meeting International: “Aridoculture et Cultures Oasiennes: Gestion et Valorisation des Ressources et Applications Biotechnologiques dans les Agrosystèmes Arides et Sahariens”. Djerba (Tunisie) 15-16-17/12/2009. Rev Rég Arid (spec num):7–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamza H, Elbekkay M, Ben Abederrahim MA, Ferchichi A (2011) Molecular and morphological analyses of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) subpopulations in southern Tunisia. Span J Agric Res 9(2):484–493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamza H, Benabderrahim MA, Elbekkay M et al (2012) Investigation of genetic variation in Tunisian date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars using ISSR marker systems and their relation with fruit characteristics. Turk J Biol 36:449–458

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson RW (1932) La culture du dattier en Tunisie. Bulletin de la Direction Générale de l’Agriculture, du Commerce et de la Colonisation; 4ième trimestre 1932

    Google Scholar 

  • Jemni M, Maaroufi A, Mejri S (2010) Optimisation d’un milieu de culture à base de sirop de dattes pour la production d’un bio pesticide bactérien. Rev Règ Arid 1(spec num):261–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Jemni M, Otón M, Ramirez JG et al (2014) Conventional and emergent sanitizers decreased Ectomyelois ceratoniae infestation and maintained quality of date palm after shelf-life. Postharvest Biol Technol 87:33–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kearney TH (1906) Date varieties and date culture in Tunisia. USDA Bureau of Plant Industry Bulletin, No 92, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Khoualdia O, Rhouma A, Hmidi MS (1993) Contribution to the bio-ecological study of the white scale Parlatoria blanchardi. Targ (Homoptera, Diaspididae) of date palm in Djerid (southern Tunisia). Ann Inst Nat Rech Agron Tun 66:89–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Khoualdia O, Rhouma A, Marro JP, Brun J (1997) Premières observations sur Oryctes agamemnon (Col.:Scarabidae), nouveau ravageur du palmier dattier en Tunisie. Fruits 52:111–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Louhichi B, Belgaib J, Benamor H, Hajji N (2013) Production of bio-ethanol from three varieties of dates. Renew Ener 51:170–174

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Louvet J, Toutain G (1973) Recherches sur les fusarioses VIII. Nouvelles observations sur la fusariose du palmier dattier et précisions concernant la lutte. Ann Phytopath 4:35–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Masmoudi-Allouche F, Chaâri-Rkhis A, Kriaâ W et al (2009) In vitro hermaphrodism induction in date palm female flower. Plant Cell Rep 28:1–10

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masmoudi-Allouche F, Meziou B, Kriaâ W et al (2010) In Vitro flowering induction in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L). J Plant Growth Regul 29:35–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masmoudi-Allouche F, Gargouri-Bouzid R, Kriaâ W et al (2011) Investigation of genetic variability related to the in vitro floral hermaphrodism induction in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Afr J Biotech 10(52):10567–10574

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MEDD (2010) Étude sur la gestion durable des écosystèmes oasiens. Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable. September 2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Munier P (1973) Le palmier dattier, Techniques agricoles et productions tropicales. Maisonoeuvre et Larose edition, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy ST, Briscoe BR (1999) The red palm weevil as an alien invasive: biology and the prospects for biological control as a component of IPM. Biocon News Infor 20:35–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagaoka T, Ogihara Y (1997) Applicability of inter-simple sequence repeat polymorphisms in wheat for use as DNA markers in comparison to RFLP and RAPD markers. Theor Appl Genet 94:597–602

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Namsi A, Montarone M, Serra P et al (2007) Manganese and brittle leaf disease of date palm trees. J Plant Pathol 89(1):125–136

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ODS (2011) Le Sud Tunisien en chiffres

    Google Scholar 

  • Oihabi A (2000a) Date palm in North Africa and Near East: production and constraints. The date palm international symposium, Windhoek, Namibia, pp 312–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Oihabi A (2000b) Technical report: date palm genetic resources in North Africa. The date palm international symposium, Windhoek, Namibia, pp 333–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Omrani N, Burger D (2010) Improvement of irrigation efficiency in date palm oases: context and perspectives, case study Kebili, southern Tunisia. In: Meyer R, Burger D (eds) Low-input intensification of developing countries’ agriculture – opportunities and barriers. Proceeding of the Kit-workshop, Karlsruhe, 8th Dec 2010, pp 103–114

    Google Scholar 

  • OSS (2009) Observatory of the Sahel and the Sahara, the system aquifer of septentrional Sahara, the common management of a transborder basin. Serie of drafts, N°1

    Google Scholar 

  • Othmani A, Bayoudh C, Drira N, Trifi M (2009) In vitro cloning of date palm Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Deglet Bey by using embryogenic suspension and temporary immersion bioreactor (TIB). Biotechnol Biotec Eq 23: 1181–1188

    Google Scholar 

  • Othmani A, Rhouma S, Bayoudh C et al (2010) Regeneration and analysis of genetic stability of plantlets as revealed by RAPD and AFLP markers in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Deglet Nour. Int Res J Plant Sci 1(3):48–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Othmani A, Mzid R, Bayoudh C et al (2011) Bioreactors and automation in date palm micropropagation. In: Jain SM, Al-Khayri JM, Johnson DV (eds) Date palm biotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 119–136

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Palevsky E, Ucko O, Peles S et al (2004) Evaluation of control measures for Oligonychus afrasiaticus infesting date palm cultivars in the Southern Arava Valley of Israel. Crop Prot 23(5):387–392

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahalkar GW, Harwalkar MR, Rananavare HD et al (1985) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. In: Singh P, Moore RF (eds) Handbook of insect rearing, vol 1. Elsevier, New York, pp 279–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhouma A (1994) Le palmier dattier en Tunisie I. Le patrimoine génétique, vol 1. IPGRI, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhouma A (2005) Le palmier dattier en Tunisie I. Le patrimoine génétique, vol 2. IPGRI, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhouma S (2008) Analyse de la diversité génétique chez le palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Étude transcriptomique de la maladie des feuilles cassantes. Université Tunis-El Manar, Tunis

    Google Scholar 

  • Rouissi M (1969) Le fait migratoire au Djérid. Revue Tunisienne des Sciences Sociales. CERES. Actes du Colloque sur la démographie maghrébine

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakka H, Zehdi S, Ould Mohamed Salem A et al (2004) Genetic polymorphism of plastid DNA in Tunisian date-palm germplasm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) detected with PCR-RFLP. Genet Resour Crop Evol 51:479–487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sghaier S, Bahloul M, Gargouri Bouzid R, Drira N (2008) Development of zygotic and somatic embryos of Phoenix dactylifera L. cv. Deglet Nour: comparative study. Sci Hortic 116(2):169–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sghaier M (2010) Etude de la gouvernance des ressources naturelles dans les oasis, Cas des oasis en Tunisie. Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature

    Google Scholar 

  • Soltani R (2004) Oryctes agamemnon Burmeister (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae): contribution à l’étude de sa biologie et de ses dégâts dans les oasis du Djérid au sud tunisien. Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies. Ecole Supérieure d’Horticulture et d’Elevage de, Chott-Mariem

    Google Scholar 

  • Soltani R (2010) The rhinoceros beetle Oryctes agamemnon arabicus in Tunisia: current challenge and future management perspectives. Tunis J Plant Prot 5(2):179–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Trifi M, Rhouma A, Marrakchi M (2000) Phylogenetic relationships in Tunisian date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) germplasm collection using DNA amplification fingerprinting. Agron 20:665–671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Triki MA, Zouba A, Khoualdia O et al (2003) “Maladie des feuilles cassantes” or brittle leaf disease of date palms in Tunisia:biotic or abiotic disease? J Plant Pathol 85(2):71–79

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zaid A, de Wet PF, Djerbi M, Oihabi A (2002) Diseases and pests of date palm. In: Zaid A, Arias-Jimenez E (eds) Date palm cultivation, vol 156, FAO plant production and protection paper., pp 227–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Zehdi S, Trifi M, Ould Mohamed Salem A et al (2002) Survey of inter simple sequence repeat polymorphisms in Tunisian date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.). J Genet Breed 56:77–83

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zehdi S, Trifi M, Billotte N et al (2004) Genetic diversity of Tunisian date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) revealed by nuclear microsatellite polymorphism. Hered 141:278–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zehdi-Azouzi S, Rhouma S, Dkkhil-Dakhlaoui S et al (2011) Polymorphism and genetic relationship in date palm using molecular markers. In: Jain SM, Al-Khayri JM, Johnson DV (eds) Date palm biotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 407–425

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Zouba A, Raeesi A (2010a) First report of Ommatissus lybicus Bergevin (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) in Tunisia. Afr J Plant Sci Biotech (spec iss):98–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Zouba A, Raeesi A (2010b) First report of Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari:Tenuipalpidae) in Tunisia. Afr J Plant Sci Biotech (spec iss):100–101

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arid and Oases Cropping Laboratory, Arid Area Institute, Elfjé, Medenine, 4119, Tunisia

    Hammadi Hamza, Mohamed Ali Benabderrahim & Abdesselem Mrabet

  2. Département de Technologies de Dattes, Centre Régional de Recherche en Agriculture Oasienne de Degueche, Tozeur, Degueche, 2260, Tunisia

    Monia Jemni

  3. Laboratoire de Culture In Vitro, Centre Régional des Recherches en Agriculture Oasienne de Degueche, Tozeur, Tunisia

    Ahmed Othmani

  4. Department of Plant Protection, Centre Technique des Dattes, Kebilli, 4200, Tunisia

    Sana Touil

  5. Research Regional Center on Oases Agriculture, Degache, 6021, Tunisia

    Mohamed Ben Salah

Authors
  1. Hammadi Hamza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Monia Jemni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohamed Ali Benabderrahim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Abdesselem Mrabet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sana Touil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ahmed Othmani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Mohamed Ben Salah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hammadi Hamza .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

    Jameel M. Al-Khayri

  2. Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Shri Mohan Jain

  3. Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Dennis V. Johnson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hamza, H. et al. (2015). Date Palm Status and Perspective in Tunisia. In: Al-Khayri, J., Jain, S., Johnson, D. (eds) Date Palm Genetic Resources and Utilization. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9694-1_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation