Symbiotic Interaction Between Serendipita indica and Date Palm

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) stands as a cornerstone crop in arid and semi-arid regions, providing essential nutrition and economic stability for millions of people. Despite its natural tolerance to harsh environments, date palm productivity is increasingly constrained by abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, as well as biotic challenges caused by soil-borne pathogens. Sustainable alternatives to chemical-based management strategies are therefore urgently required. Root-associated beneficial fungi have emerged as effective biological tools for improving plant performance under stress conditions. Among these microorganisms, the endophytic basidiomycete Serendipita indica (formerly Piriformospora indica) has gained considerable attention due to its broad host range and exceptional capacity to promote plant growth and stress tolerance. This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding the symbiotic interaction between S. indica and date palm, with particular emphasis on root colonization processes, root-shoot signaling, hormonal crosstalk involving salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene (ET), and abscisic acid (ABA), and the induced systemic resistance (ISR) responses triggered by the fungus. Furthermore, the implications of S. indica application for sustainable date palm production, including reduced agrochemical inputs and improved water use efficiency, are discussed.

کلیدواژه ها:

Phoenix dactylifera ، Endophytic fungi ، Root colonization ، Hormonal crosstalk ، Induced systemic resistance ، Sustainable agriculture