Tree Crops in Morocco

Chapter 1: Characterization of Species to Produce

• The chapter focuses on characterizing species for production.
• The objective is for trainees to be able to characterize species for production.

Characteristics of Tree Crops

• Fruit arboriculture is an integral part of the economic and social life of Morocco.
• Morocco has the privilege of cultivating several fruit species and producing fresh fruits throughout the year because of its favorable geographical position and diverse pedoclimatic conditions.
• Fruit arboriculture helps in combating soil erosion, land development, job creation, agro-food industry development, and cabinetmaking.

Importance of Tree Crops in Morocco

• Tree crops are cultivated in all regions of Morocco and have great importance in the national economy.
• They allow the creation of many jobs each year.
• They satisfy the population's needs for fleshy and dry fruits.
• They generate foreign currency through exports.
• They supply the agro-food industry.

Arboricultural Sector

• The arboricultural sector covers 377,000 hectares in Morocco as of 2019, representing 5% of the useful agricultural area.
• The area has increased by 46% since 2008.
• The most important production areas are located in three main arboricultural regions: Fès-Meknès (27%), Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima (20%) and Oriental (13%).
• 234,981 hectares produce 548,350 tons of stone fruit.
• 57,140 hectares produce 883,380 tons of pome fruit.
• 84,715 hectares produce 280,300 tons of hardy fruit.
• Production has doubled from 812,000 tons (2003-2007) to 1.57 million tons (2015-2019).
• Exports increased from 10,000 tons to 13,900 tons in 2019, with rising performance.

Citrus Sector

• A diverse range of varieties makes up the national citrus orchard, dominated by clementines (35%), Maroc-Late (21%), and navels (18%).
• The citrus area is distributed mainly among five regions of the Kingdom.
• Souss-Massa: 32% (40,344 Ha).
• Rabat-Salé-Kénitra: 20% (25,293 Ha).
• Oriental: 17% (21,100 Ha).
• Béni Mellal-Khénifra: 14% (17,426 Ha).
• Marrakech-Safi: 13% (16,518 Ha).
• Other regions: 4% (6,645 ha).

Date Palm Sector

• The date palm sector covers nearly 59,600 hectares, about 1% of the national Utile Agricultural Area (SAU).
• The geographical distribution is mainly in the regions of Drâa-Tafilalet (77%), Souss Massa (15%), Oriental (5%), and Guelmim Oued Noun (4%).

Olive Sector

• The main fruit species cultivated in Morocco represents 65% of the arboricultural area.
• Production is spread across 10 regions nationally, with 54% of the area located in Fès-Meknès (33%) and Marrakech-Safi (21%).

Argan Sector

• The argan sector plays a key socio-economic role through employment, production, and exports.
• It contributes to ecological balance, offering recognized health, food, and cosmetic properties.
• The main production regions are Souss-Massa, Marrakech-Safi, and Guelmim-Oued Noun.

General Information about Tree Crops

• The purpose of tree crops is to produce edible fruits, fresh, dried, or processed.
• Related disciplines include soil science, hydraulics, bioclimatology, phytotechnics, zoology, botany, and economics.
• A Species is a group of organisms. It has common features is able to reproduce with each other.
• A Variety is an ecological adaptation of a species with morphological characteristics, often in wild and sometimes cultivated plants.
• A Cultivar is a group of plants selected for stable hereditary characteristics, defined by an international code of nomenclature.

Origin of Cultivated Varieties

• Cultivated varieties come from successive improvements of existing varieties.
• New varieties obtained by chance are sown and fixed if they are interesting or crossbred with others.

Tree Morphology

• A cultivated fruit tree is generally made up of an association of two plants which are the root system, located underground, and the aerial part, which constitutes the stem, branches, and leaves.
• The aerial part is the variety or cultivar, while the root part is the rootstock or subject.

Tree Physiology – Life Stages

• Juvenile stage (0-4 years): Vigorous growth with extensive branching, no flowering or fruiting.
• Adult stage (4-30/40 years): Start of flowering and fruiting, with an increasing production phase (4-9 years) and then full production (9-30/40 years depending on the species).
• Senescent stage: Marked aging with decreased production and vigor.

Annual Cycle of a Tree

• The annual cycle includes a vegetative cycle and a reproductive cycle.

Vegetative Cycle

• It begins with leaf fall (for deciduous species) and ends with bud burst.
• Certain species, such as rosaceous trees (apple, pear, peach), require a cold period.
• Evergreen species (olive, citrus) experience a simple growth slowdown.
• It starts with bud burst and ends with leaf fall.
• Roots absorb nutritional needs from the soil when the temperature is favorable.
• Buds use accumulated reserves first, then sap transforms to support growth and reserves.
• At the end of autumn, sap circulation stops or slows, leaves fall, and the tree enters a vegetative rest period.

Reproductive Cycle

• Floral Induction and Initiation involves hormonal phenomena that transform a vegetative bud into a flower bud.
• Dormancy is a temporary interruption of growth to survive unfavorable conditions.
• Bud burst marks the renewal of vegetation; buds swell and open towards the end of winter.
• Flowering is the formation of flowers.
• Pollination is the transport of pollen from stamens to stigmas.
• Fertilization is the crossing of male and female gametes.
• Fruit set is the phase where the fertilized ovary transforms into a young fruit after flowering.
• The fruit stage is development and maturation.

Annual Cycle of the Olive Tree

• January-February: Vegetative rest.
• March: Growth and development of inflorescences in the axils of the previous year's leaves.
• April: Full bloom.
• Late April-Early May: Fertilization and fruit set.
• June: Start of fruit development and swelling (floral induction, initiation, and differentiation).
• September: Véraison (fruit color change).
• October: Fruit maturation and oil enrichment.
• Mid-November to January: Fruit harvest.

Phenological Stages

• Phenology is the study of annual and periodic biological cycles of plants and their links with climatic conditions.
• It allows arboriculturists to plan interventions based on crop development stages.

Botanical Families

• Key botanical families include Rosaceae (Rose family), Rutaceae (Citrus family), Palmacées (Palm family), Oléacées (Olive family), Punicacées (Pomegranate family), Vitacées (Grape family), Moracées (Mulberry family), and Cactacées (Cactus family).

Rosaceae Family

• Maloideae subfamily includes Malus domestica (Apple) and Pyrus communis (Pear).
• Amygdaloideae subfamily includes Prunus armeniaca (Apricot), Prunus dulcis (Almond), Prunus persica (Peach), and Prunus avium (Cherry).
• Auriantioideae subfamily includes Citrus sinensis (Orange) and Citrus limon (Lemon).
• Arecaseae includes Phoenix dactilifera (Date Palm).
• Oleaceae includes Olea europaea (Olive).

Other botanical families

• Lythraceae includes Punica granatum (Grenadier).
• Vitaceae includes Vitis vinifera (Grapevine).
• Moraceae includes Morus alba (White Mulberry) and Morus nigra (Black Mulberry).
• Cactaceae includes Opuntia ficus-indica (Barbary Fig).
• Anacardiaceae includes Mangifera indica (Mango) and Pistacia vera (Pistachio).
• Ericaceae includes Vaccinium corymbosum (Blueberry).
• Lauraceae includes Persea americana (Avocado).
• Musaceae includes Musa acuminata (Banana).

Edaphoclimatic Requirements & Geographical Context of Morocco

• Morocco is located between latitudes 21° and 36° North, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
• It has a diverse topography, from coastal lowlands to mountainous regions (Atlas and Rif), plateaus, and fertile valleys, as well as semi-arid and arid zones to the east, center, and south.
• The North has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and dry summers.
• The South has a dry, arid to semi-arid climate.

Opportunities for Tree Crops

• Morocco’s geographical position and climatic diversity allows the cultivation of a multitude of tree species.
• Temperate species include cherry, apple, mulberry, medlar, walnut, peach, pear and plum
  • The require winter cold to break dormancy.
• Subtropical species with persistent leaves include citrus fruits, olive, and avocado.
• Tropical species include banana, pineapple, papaya, and mango.
  • They requires cultivation under cover to meet thermal requirements.

Key Factors in Choosing a Planting Site

• Soil should be deep, light, fertile, and filtering, avoiding poorly drained areas and clay soils.
• pH should ideally be between 6 and 7.5.
• The site needs to be sunny, sheltered from the wind, and provide good ventilation.
• A gentle slope (2 to 5%) promotes natural drainage and reduces the risk of water stagnation.
• Altitude: Some species (apple, cherry) are better suited to mountainous areas, while others (citrus, banana) prefer lower altitudes.

Other factors to consider in selecting a planting site

• Some crops prefer humid environments while others tolerate drought.
• Fruit trees generally prefer a sunny or semi-shady exposure.
• Depending on their size, rooting, leaf persistence, and wood strength, crops have varying resistance to wind.

Specifics for Olive Cultivation

• Resistance to cold during winter dormancy, sensitivity to spring frosts.
• Rainfall should be a minimum of 200 mm for economic viability, ideally between 450 and 600 mm.
• Sensitive to hot winds and hail, negatively impacting flowering and fruiting.
• Requires ample light, with tree orientation and planting density being important factors.

Technical Sheets for Crops

• Choosing a variety adapted to the climate and soil of the region.
• Soil preparation through deep plowing and loosening.
• Planting trees at the correct distance and depth.
• Management involves fertilization, irrigation, protection, pruning, harvesting, and conservation.

Chapter 3: Soil Preparation and Establishment of the Crop

• Objective: The trainee should be able to prepare the soil and install tree species.

Preparing the Soil

• An orchard is an area of land intended to cultivate fruit trees of one or more varieties.
• There is identification of the goal of creating the orchard.
• Objectives for the creation of a orchard
• commercial: The production is used for sale in the local market, or for export in large quantities.
• family: The production is used to supply fruits for the family. The owner gives great importance to the shape of the tree and the beauty of the planting.
• industrial: The production is used for industry, produced according to a defined set of specifications to make jam, preserves, drying...

Varietal Selection Criteria

• Pédoclimatic criteria: Resistance to frost, heat waves, local climatic variations, cold requirements, and soil compatibility.
• Resistance to diseases and pests: The variety is chosen to have resistance, tolerance, or reduced sensitivity to pests and diseases for sustainable production.
• Productivity and fruit quality: Regular yield, size, taste, color, storage duration, etc.
• Agronomic characteristics: Tree shape, compatibility with the rootstock, flowering period, and pollination.
• Ease of harvest and management.

Other Factors in varietal selection

• Availability of other production factors: The possibility of providing all the needs in fertilizer, water, maintenance, etc.
• Market and profitability: Consumer preferences and the marketing circuit and production costs.
• Technical specifications of the crop to be installed

Before studying a new crop

• Detect the sensitive phases of the development cycle of the crop
• Have Analysis of soil and soil profile
• Ensure Availability of water (Quantity and quality)
• Determine the plant material (supplier)
• Prepare to provide the inputs if needed
• Calculate the number of working days
• Know the un-productive period: 3 years – 7 years

Before studying a new crop: Know your Budget

• What's the cost of the material
• Tools
• Running Costs
• Employees

Soil diagnostics are essential for creation of new plots

• A Important is the soil study, its important to identify physical and chemical indicators.
• Do physical analysis such as the capacity to retain water by the soil
• Follow granulometric analysis such as the texture
• Do a chemical analysis to know the missing elements
• What is the pH of the soil
• What is the degree of permeability
• What is the degree of activity of the microflora
• Take some soil samples for a profile

Soil Management (work)

• Clearing: an area must be cleared is the land holds an abustive crop, be careful that the roots are removed in th process
• Loosining: loosens the soil and decompacts the subsoils through tilling.
• Level terrain is essential to have a more uniform surface and facilitate irrigation.
• Sub-soiling loosens and decompactos the soil without turning it

Confection des ados (Raised soil)

• When to adopt this method
• Sol peu profond
• Sol peu drainant
• Sol asphyxiant

Installation of the Crop

• Is an important step to ensure correct growth
• Fertilizer the field before any work is essential to boost nutrition and help the plant take well
• Know your soil with soil profile
• Do a good analysis of minerals; the quantity will determine the quantity you need in the soil
• These elements must be placed with the use of pseudo-plowing or cover copage

Wind Breaker Installation

• Plan to plant winds breakers at least 1 year earlier than the orchard
• Should be a distance of a 10 times height
• Water them, treat and fertilize if necessary
• Use eucalyptus, myoporum, acacias...

Irrigation System

Before installing any crop it is important to install a system

• Pumping
• Pipes
• Station head
• Water storage
• Ramps
• Distributers

Choosing your system and the density of plantation considerations:

• Espèce/variété et port des arbres (Know which one to use)
• Conditions pédoclimatiques (soil consideration)
• Objectifs de production (Yield objectives)
• Vigueur de matériel végétal (Vigor consideration)
• Système de conduite (Drive consideration)
• Contraintes culturales (Evolution of material)