Date palm pollination: techniques adapted to agroecology

NATAE Practice abstract n. 20: Co-creation and sharing of knowledge. Human and social values. Working Package 7. A NATAE practice abstract is a summary that describes an agroecological practice that can be used as a valuable resource by farmers, researchers, policy makers, and other stakeholders interested in adopting or promoting agricultural practices that contribute to sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness in the agricultural sector. This document explains why effective pollination is essential for high yields and good-quality dates in oasis agroecosystems, where natural pollination is often insufficient. It details manual, semi-mechanized and mechanized pollination techniques, as well as pollen collection, storage and mixing strategies to improve fruit set. The text also highlights agroecological practices such as agroforestry, planting male pollinators and diversifying varieties to reduce phytosanitary risks and enhance resilience to climate change. Finally, it warns against low‑cost but risky practices like mixing pollen with wheat or corn flour.