Evaluation and management of soil microbial potentialities for improving the carob tree tolerance to water constraints

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.), an ecological, cultural and industrial component of the Mediterranean basin, has been experiencing a decline its abundance in recent decades. Three contributing factors have identified, agricultural policy favour other plant species, increasing urbanisation coastline, which leads to habitat fragmentation, negative climatic conditions, notably longer periods drought. dependency on water resources is underestimated trait, yet crucial one for survival. optimisation symbiotic association between mycorrhizal fungi proposed as promising strategy improve resistance stress. However, more holistic view plant-microorganism interactions within environment seems essential sustainably address challenges adaptation environmental stresses. central hypothesis thesis that management microbiota some pioneer plants could be key better objectives were (i) assess specificity associated with living carob, (ii) quantify their impact growth deficit. results showed predominance actinobacteria, proteobacteria ascomycetes studied habitats, significant functional divergences North South Morocco. Common garden experiments revealed type was major driver effect resistance, strong variations depending status. Indeed, native most efficient under non-limiting conditions but confers little On hand, lentisk provides best growth-resistance trade-off. This benefit attributable higher DSE (dark septate endophytes) increase colonisation response integration technical practices lever beneficial therefore represent future drought basin.