CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME ALGERIANS AND FOREIGN LENTIL ACCESSIONS BY QUALITATIVE TRAITS

In the present study an attempt has been made to characterize lentil accessions based on qualitative traits. There were variations among 44 lentil accessions. Erect growth habit was observed in 24 % of the accessions where 8% were from Algeria. Conversely, prostrate growth habit was observed in 34% of the accessions. The majority of the remaining accessions (41.32%) were intermediate. Stem with anthocyanin pigmentation was showed in 44% of the accessions, whereas, 56% had no pigmentation (green stem). About half of the accessions had grey green leaves (53%) and 23% of accessions were light green. Among the characters, flower color showed the highest variation. White flowers were observed in 64% accessions and violet flowers were found in 36% accessions. Flowers, with violet stripes in the standard petal (SVE) were observed in 44% accessions and the majority (56%) lacked violet stripes. Yellow cotyledons were observed in 61% accessions, while the rest (39%) had red cotyledons. The majority of accessions (81%) were observed with brown testa while 14% were green and 5% had yellow testa. Absence of seed coat pattern was observed in 69% accessions. However, 8% accessions with spots, 5% with dots, 16% were marbled and the remaining 2% were complex. Flattened seed shape was observed in 60% of accessions. Conversely, globose shape was observed in 40% of the accessions, among of them 27% were from Algeria

Assessment of Summer Drought Tolerance and Persistence of Some Grass Cultivars in Algerian Semi Arid Conditions

Stress-tolerant forage resources are increasingly needed for the environmental and economic sustainability of extensive Mediterranean livestock systems. Perennial forages belonging to two species: Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (tall fescue) and Dactylis glomerata L. (cocksfoot) can be a valuable alternative to annuals, if they can survive across successive summer droughts. Poor persistence of sown perennial pasture grasses is a problem in regions of the World with Mediterranean climates where the most stressful, life threatening season is a summer characterised by long and often severe droughts with high temperatures. The objective of this study is to compare 14 grass cultivars in an Algerian drought prone environment in order to identify the best adapted plant material

NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF SEVERAL VARIETIES OF PERENNIAL ALFALFA (Medicago sativa L.) GROWN UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITION IN NORTHERN ALGERIA

The chemical composition and nutritional value of 16 perennial alfalfa varieties Medicago sativa L. from different origins, newly introduced in Algeria were determined. The methods of analysis were those of the AOAC. The nutritive value was calculated from the forecasting equations of INRA.The results obtained are more than convincing, indeed the results of the chemical composition are very interesting and sometimes even superior to the results of the literature. By its richness in UFL (>0,87 and up to 0,90) and in PDI, the alfalfa shows a very good nutritional value, that it is in irrigated or in dry, our varieties showed a very good adaptation even in condition of hydric stress

Effects of salt and water stress on seed germination of Hedysarum flexuosum (Fabaceae)

L’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier les effets des stress salin et hydrique sur la germination des graines de Hedysarum flexuosum, légumineuse spontanée fourragère et pastorale d’origine méditerranéenne. Les résultats montrent que le taux de germination (TG) des graines diminue en réponse à l’augmentation de la concentration de NaCl. Le taux de réduction de la capacité germinative est d’autant plus élevé que la pression osmotique est plus forte. En effet, à partir de 2 g/l l’influence de la salinité est significativement perceptible avec un taux de réduction de 18.7%. La concentration induisant la diminution de la germination de 50 % (DL50), se situe entre 4 et 6 g/l de NaCl. La germination est pratiquement inhibée à la concentration la plus élevée (10 g/l). Le temps moyen de germination (TMG) est allongé significativement avec l’augmentation de la salinité du milieu. Chez les témoins, le TMG est de 2,37 jours, il s’allonge jusqu’à 8 jours à la dose de 10 g/l de NaCl. Nos résultats montrent que le TG le plus élevé (94 %) est obtenu chez les graines témoins. Le TG diminue avec l’augmentation de la pression osmotique du milieu d’imbibition des graines. À la pression osmotique de -1 bar, la capacité germinative est réduite de 60,63 % par rapport au témoin et atteint 90,42% à -3 bars. La germination est complètement inhibée à la pression osmotique de -9,25 bars. Comme pour le stress salin, le TMG obtenu chez les graines de H. flexuosum augmente avec la pression osmotique. Celui-ci est triplé (-7 bars) par rapport au témoin. H. flexuosum paraît être plus sensible à la salinité comparativement à plusieurs cultivars tunisiens de H. coronarium chez lesquels la DL 50 est estimée à -2,11 bars.Hedysarum flexuosum L., commonly called Sulla has been the subject of numerous studies which have demonstrated its forage and pastoral potential. Previous researches on the biochemical composition of this species have revealed a high nutritional value and positioned it as an alternative to the imported food for goat and sheep raising. The authors mention the richness of Sulla in proteins (22.5 % g/Kg of dry matter), lipids and minerals. They also note a digestibility rate very similar to those of other forage legumes grown such as alfalfa. The species H. flexuosum or Sulla is reported in Algeria and Morocco on marl and marl-limestone substrates in regions with average rainfall greater than 550 mm. This study consists of an ecophysiological evaluation of the seed germination phase of H. flexuosum through the effects of salt and water stress on the germination rate (GT) of this species. H. flexuosum pods were collected at maturity at a station in Ouadhia commune in northern Algeria. The seeds extracted from the pods were treated with 5 % sodium hypochlorite for 5 minutes and then rinsed three times with distilled water. In order to avoid any integumentary dormancy, a slight scarification of the seed surfaces was carried out. They were then watered with increasing concentration NaCl solutions (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g/l), for the salinity test and by solutions of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG -6000) corresponding to pressures of: -1 bar, -3 bars, -7 bars, -9.25 bars respectively for the water stress. A batch of control seeds was watered with distilled water. The results of the germination rate (GT) and mean germination time (MGT) were analysed by an ANOVA using the stat box software (one parameter analysis: NaCl concentration for salt stress and PEG concentration for water stress). The ANOVA analysis was completed by the Newman and Keuls test when it reveals a significant variation. Results show that GT variation as a function of NaCl concentrations is highly significant (P < 0.001). Seed GT decreases in response to increased NaCl concentration in the imbibitions substrate. The higher osmotic pressure is, the greater the rate of reduction of the germinative capacity increases. The influence of salinity is in fact significantly perceptible from 2 g/l with a GT of 74 % corresponding to a reduction rate of 18.7 %. The concentration inducing the reduction of the germination of 50 % (LD 50) is between 4 and 6 g/l of NaCl. The germination is practically inhibited at the highest concentration tested (10 g/l). Analysis of the variance of the MGT factor of H. flexuosum shows that it increases significantly with elevated environmental salinity. In the controls, MGT is 2.37 days but extends to 8 days at the dose of 10 g/l of NaCl. The effect of salinity on germination kinetics is manifested by the germination retardation caused by the increasing concentrations of NaCl and PEG substrate (first phase of germination). It could be explained by the prolongation of the latency phase corresponding to the time required for the imbibition of the seeds to trigger the germination process. Our results show that the highest GT is obtained in the control seeds (94 %). At the osmotic pressure of -1 bar, the germinative capacity is reduced by 60.63 % compared to the control. GT decreases with increasing osmotic pressure of the seed imbibitions substrate. At the pressure of -3 bars the germination drop reached 90.42 %. The germination is completely inhibited at the pressure of -9.25 bars. Like GT, the MGT required for H. flexuosum seeds increases with osmotic pressure. This is tripled at -7 bars pressure compared to the controls. H. flexuosum appears to be more sensitive to salinity compared to several Tunisian cultivars of H. coronarium (LD 50 to -2.11 bars for water stress)

Genetic Variability Induced by Gamma Rays and Preliminary Results of Low-Cost TILLING on M2 Generation of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In order to increase genetic variability for chickpea improvement, the Kabuli genotype, variety Ghab4, was treated with 280 Grays of gamma rays (Cobalt 60). Field characterization began with the M2 generation. A total of 135 M2 families were sown in the field resulting in approximately 4,000 plants. Traits related to phenology (days to flowering, days to maturity), plant morphology of vegetative parts (plant height, height of first pod, number of primary branches per plant) and yield (number of seeds per pod, total number of pods per plant, total number of seeds per plant, seed yield and hundred seed weight) were recorded and analyzed to evaluate genetic variability. An evaluation of the efficacy of low-cost TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) to discover mutations in the M2 generation was undertaken. Mutation screening focused on genes involved in resistance to two important diseases of chickpea; Ascochyta blight (AB) and Fusarium wilt (FW), as well as genes responsible for early flowering. Analysis of variance showed a highly significant difference among mutant families for all studied traits. The higher estimates of genetic parameters (genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, broad sense heritability and genetic advance) were recorded for number of seeds per plant and yield. Total yield was highly significant and positively correlated with number of pods and seeds per plant. Path analysis revealed that the total number of seeds per plant had the highest positive direct effect followed by hundred seed weight parameter. One cluster from nine exhibited the highest mean values for total number of pods and seeds per plant as well as yield per plant. According to Dunnett’s test, 37 M2 families superior to the control were determined for five agronomical traits. Pilot experiments with low-cost TILLING show that the seed stock used for mutagenesis is homogeneous and that small mutations do not predominate at the dosage used

Variability in Responses to Phoma medicaginis Infection in a Tunisian Collection of Three Annual Medicago Species

Spring black stem and leaf spot, caused by Phoma medicaginis, is an issue in annual Medicago species. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the response to P. medicaginis infection in a collection of 46 lines of three annual Medicago species (M. truncatula, M. ciliaris, and M. polymorpha) showing different geographic distribution in Tunisia. The reaction in the host to the disease is explained by the effects based on plant species, lines nested within species, treatment, the interaction of species × treatment, and the interaction of lines nested within species × treatment. Medicago ciliaris was the least affected for aerial growth under infection. Furthermore, the largest variation within species was found for M. truncatula under both conditions. Principal component analysis and hierarchical classification showed that M. ciliaris lines formed a separate group under control treatment and P. medicaginis infection and they are the most vigorous in growth. These results indicate that M. ciliaris is the least susceptible in response to P. medicaginis infection among the three Medicago species investigated here, which can be used as a good candidate in crop rotation to reduce disease pressure in the field and as a source of P. medicaginis resistance for the improvement of forage legumes

Operating Systems of the Meadows in Semi-Arid Region of Algeria

Permanent meadows are the base of the fodder resources and also provide environmental services (MAP France, 2002). The function of fodder production is no longer solely to ensure bulk agricultural production. It must also allow the development of livestock products of good quality, contribute to environmental protection, the quality of the landscape and ensure a viable economic activity in the rural areas. These areas have decreased greatly (from 1 million ha at the beginning of the century (Lapeyronie, 1982) to less than 300,000 ha in 2000), in particular in the semi-arid zones at high altitude; however they contribute very effectively to natural diversity and the fight against desertification (Faye & Alary, 2001). The lack of a global solution to agricultural development and the intensification of production in certain sectors (cultivation of cereals) have induced a continued loss of meadow areas. This paper is the first study of the diversity of production systems comprising natural meadows in a small area of Algeria on a randomly selected sample of farms

Diversity and Adaptation of Perennial Plants From North Africa: Legumes and Grasses

A variety of climates, soil types and reliefs characterise North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia). These natural conditions have produced a large diversity of environments, landscapes, plant formations and flora. Several factors have contributed to the spread of a wide floristic variety: the influence of the Mediterranean in the north and in the north-east, the Atlantic in the west, and the Sahara in the south, as well as the presence of mountain ranges, particularly the Rif, the Tell Atlas, the Sahara Atlas, the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas, and the Anti-Atlas. This diversity of landscapes, environments and ecosystems has generated many different agricultural and breeding practices. Ranges as well as ecosystems favouring animal breeding constitute the most important formations and occupy the largest areas. Climatic factors, especially rainfall and temperature in the growth period, are the most important limitations to the production of high quality forage and/or pasture. This paper describes the floristic diversity of perennial herbaceous legumes and grasses, and their particularities, place and importance in agriculture in the region

Optimal forage grass germplasm for drought-prone Mediterranean environments

Extensive livestock production is a basic socio-economic feature of rainfed Mediterranean agriculture that is threatened by overgrazing and desertification of natural grasslands and by climate change. The cultivation of improved, drought-tolerant perennial forages can alleviate these constraints. This study aimed to support breeders in choosing target species and plant types, and agronomists in setting site-specific forage recommendations for the western Mediterranean basin. Three-year dry matter (DM) yield and final survival of two cultivars of cocksfoot (Kasbah, completely summer dormant; Jana, non-dormant) and two of tall fescue (Centurion and Flecha, both incompletely dormant) that were top-performing in previous studies were assessed in six rainfed sites of Algeria, France, Italy, Morocco and Portugal. Site mean annual water for the crop ranged from 321 to 669 mm. On average, tall fescue displayed higher DM yield and a slight trend towards greater persistence than cocksfoot. However, species and cultivars within species displayed interaction with location. Factorial regression was preferable to other techniques for modelling adaptive responses. Cultivar DM yield was modelled as a function of spring–summer (April–September) drought stress and late-spring (May–June) daily maximum temperatures of locations, whereas cultivar final survival was modelled as a function of mean annual water available and absolute minimum temperature of locations. Indications on expected best-performing material were produced for combinations of these climatic variables, highlighting the excellent yielding ability of Flecha across drought-prone environments, the good persistence of Flecha and Kasbah in most environments, and the adaptation of the remaining cultivars to specific climatic conditions. Besides driving cultivar recommendations, our results can support breeders’ decisions also in view of predicted climate changes. Tall fescue has general interest for Mediterranean drought-prone areas. Completely summer-dormant cocksfoot germplasm could also be useful for these areas, especially the warmer ones, if its yielding ability in the cool season could definitely be improved