Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Effects of copper-based fungicides on pollen viability and germination of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
AQIL Safae, LOUASTANI Fatima, BENAMAR Houria, ESSARIOUI Adil, BOUHLALI Eimad Dine Tariq
Research Article | Published: 11 August, 2026
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Keywords: n Phoenix dactylifera L., Date palm, Liquid pollination, Pollen viability, Pollen germination, Copper-based fungicides
Abstract
The development of liquid pollination represents a promising approach for improving pollination efficiency in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivation. However, the compatibility of copper-based fungicides incorporated into pollen suspensions remains poorly documented, despite their potential use for disease management during the flowering period. This study evaluated the effects of three commonly used copper-based fungicides on pollen viability, assessed by acetocarmine staining, and in vitro pollen germination of two elite male date palm genotypes (NP3 and NP4) selected by the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Morocco. Pollen viability and germination were assessed over a 15-day exposure period. Acetocarmine staining indicated that fungicide treatments did not significantly affect the proportion of stained (viable) pollen grains throughout the experimental period. In contrast, in vitro pollen germination was completely inhibited in all fungicide-treated samples from the first evaluation, indicating a marked reduction in pollen functional performance. Fresh control pollen exhibited germination rates of 85.52% (NP3) and 87.23% (NP4), whereas germination was completely inhibited after 24 h of storage in distilled water, suggesting that prolonged aqueous exposure, irrespective of fungicide addition, adversely affected pollen germination. These findings indicate that although pollen retained its staining-based viability, its germination capacity was highly sensitive to both fungicide exposure and prolonged suspension in water. The results provide practical guidance for optimizing liquid pollination protocols by emphasizing the need to evaluate fungicide compatibility with pollen and to prepare aqueous pollen suspensions immediately before field application.
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Author Information
Oasis Systems Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Errachidia, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, Rabat, Morocco