Growth and development of date palm (Phœnix dactylifera L.) seedlings under drought and salinity stresses

The present investigation has been performed to evaluate date palm (Phœnix dactylifera L.) tolerance to osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) or NaCl during the early stages of plant development. Two varieties Nakhla hamra (NHH) and Tijib widely cultivated in Mauritania were tested. NHH showed increasing of epicotyl length, primary root length, secondary root number and proline content when water deficit was induced by PEG. In contrast, on the basis of the same developmental and biochemical characters, the Tijib cultivar was more tolerant in salinity stress. This difference of cultivars' behavior according the growth conditions is discussed. © 2005 Academic Journals.