Effectiveness of Green Compost Mixed with Phosphate Sludge on the Defense Performance of Date Palm in Soil with Fusarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Albedinis Infestation

Plants activate defense mechanisms in response to biotic stress in the rhizosphere. The defensive action of date palm seedlings treated with green compost and/or phosphate sludge (PS) was investigated in a greenhouse experiment in soil infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Foa). In addition, the effect of green compost alone or in combination with phosphate sludge (PS) on growth, physiological, biochemical and tolerance of date palm seedlings was assessed under greenhouse conditions. Our results showed that compost alone or in combination with PS improved plant growth, physiological, biochemical, and soil attributes compared to non-amended date palm seedlings. The root/shoot antioxidant enzyme activity was significantly higher in the compost and compost+PS treatments compared to the control. The hydrogen peroxide concentration was significantly reduced in the presence of compost and/or compost+PS treatments compared to the control. As a result, physicochemical characteristics in infested soil were changed by compost and compost+PS, which boosted the plant’s ability to withstand damages caused by Foa and stimulated growth performances.