Agricultural drought presents plants with the challenge of withstanding environmental constraints, amid climate change and global warming escalating scenarios. Moreover, phosphorus (P) unavailability restricts plants’ growth and productivity. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) holds a relevant socioeconomic significance. However, its overall performance is constantly hindered by the above-mentioned constraints. In the present study, an experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to assess the potential of an autochthonous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) consortium to solubilize Rock Phosphate (RP). In addition, the effects of singular and/or combined application(s) of AMF, RP, and a local compost (C) to attenuate drought stress were tested. Well-watered/75% of field capacity (FC) (WW) and water stress/25% FC (DS) constituted the applied drought stress. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits, as well as soil parameters, were significantly (p < 0.001) perturbed under DS. Nevertheless, the application of biostimulants and RP, especially the tripartite combination (AMF+C+RP) improved these traits. Leaf number (LN), stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and pigment content (chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, and Total (T.) Chl) were upgraded. Moreover, the total soluble sugars (TSS) content was enhanced (210.65%) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decreased (28.91%) within vitroplants of date palms treated with AMF+C+RP under DS, compared to the control. The antioxidant machinery was, however, lowered within vitroplants of date palms treated with C or RP alone. Concerning soil traits, they were generally improved by the application of AMF+C+RP. Overall, AMF+RP and/or AMF+C+RP represent promising combinations in boosting vitroplants of date palms’ performance and P availability under drought stress.
