A Review on the Root System of Argania Spinosa

Abdelghani Chakhchar^1*, Mouna Lamaoui², Youssef El Kharrassi³, Thouria Bourhim⁴, Abdelkarim Filali-Maltouf⁵, Cherkaoui El Modafar⁴

¹Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences de Rabat, Université Mohammed-V de Rabat.

²Justus-Liebig-University, Institute of Botany, Developmental Biology of Plants, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 38, Gießen, Germany.

³Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Laayoune, Morocco.

⁴Laboratoire de Biotechnologie et Bio-ingénierie Moléculaire, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Guéliz, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Marocco.

⁵Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Biologie Moléculaire, Faculté des Sciences. Université Mohammed V Agdal, Rabat, Marocco.

Corresponding Author Email: chakhchar.ckr@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.8.1.03

Abstract:

The Argane tree [Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels] is a remarkable essence by its botanical interest, ecological services, and its socio-economic value. This endemic species is known by its adaptive behavior to arid and semi-arid regions where it grows naturally in vast forests in Southwestern Morocco. Although its adaptation has been commonly attributed to various mechanisms in different organs and tissues, whose the root system has a primary role in this whole process. However, the increased aridity and desertification in the Mediterranean region appear to affect the health, growth and functioning of the root system of A. spinosa. In this review, we highlighted morphological aspects and physiological and biochemical mechanisms related to the roots and involved in the abiotic stress tolerance in the Argane tree. The mycorrhizal symbiosis in Argane tree plays a vital role in nutrient uptake and growth of this woody species, ​as well as in the adaptation to its environment. Despite the difficulties encountered in rooting during ​its in vitro propagation, this technique seems to be an attractive alternative for the regeneration of the selected Argane tree.

Keywords:

Argania Spinosa; Root System; Drought Stress; Arbuscular Mycorrhizae; Rooting; In Vitro Propagation

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