PROSPECTS FOR INTEGRATED CONTROL OF BAYOUD (FUSARIUM-WILT OF THE DATEPALM) IN ALGERIAN PLANTATIONS

Fusarium wilt of date palm, also known as bayoud, is a major disease i n North Africa. In Algeria, the wide range of agro-systems, soil types , genetic diversity of palm plantations and the extent of contaminatio n in diseased areas suggest the need for an integrated plantation-spec ific control strategy. In areas with disease-free plantations, the reg ulations on movement of planting material and palm fronds should be ac companied by an educational programme to teach farmers control measure s. Primary occurrences in disease-free areas can be curtailed by combi ning soil fumigation with the introduction of suppressive soil in orde r to prevent recolonisation by surviving spores of the parasite, and b y controlling soil salinity. The genetic variability of cultivars make s it possible to replant affected groves with tolerant, well adapted t ypes. Because of the complex and diverse nature of agro-systems in the eases, the shortcomings of technical support and the limited resource s, experimental stations should strive to assist local farmers with 'm assal' selection rather than to develop sophisticated long-range selec tion programmes.