Effect of Salt Stress (NaCl) on Germination and Early Seedling Parameters of Three Pepper Cultivars (Capsicum annuum L.)

Salinity is one of the major environmental problem that lead to a deterioration of agricultural land and, as a result, to a reduction in crop productivity worldwide. This research tested the effect of different salinity levels on germination and early seedling growth of three pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars which were "Beldi", "Baklouti" and "Anaheim Chili". Experimental treatment included 7 concentrations of NaCl (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 g/l). Results indicated that all investigate traits were affected by salt stress. Salt stress affected on germination parameters and radicle and plumule length. Fresh weight and dry weight of evaluated seedlings was also affected. "Anaheim Chili" cultivar was shown to be the most restraint cultivar to salt stress in comparison to "Beldi" and "Baklouti" cultivars

Evaluation of Salt Tolerance (NaCl) in Tunisian Chili Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) on Growth, Mineral Analysis and Solutes Synthesis

Every year, more and more land becomes non-productive due to salinity which adversely affects the productivity and quality of most crops that is why salinity becomes a concern to be studied more to understand the mechanisms included and select the tolerant genotypes. In this context, this investigation was carried out to study the impact of NaCl on growth, mineral analysis and solutes synthesis in five Tunisian chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) cultivars: Tebourba (Tb), Somaa (Sm), Korba (Kb), Awald Haffouzz (Aw) and Souk jedid (Sj). Thus, an experiment took place under greenhouse at Higher Institute of Agronomy, Chott Meriem, Tunisia and stress was induced during two months in water by NaCl (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 g/l). Results showed that increasing salinity stress, for all cultivars, decreases the height and biomass (dry and fresh weight) of plant in addition to the relative water content. Also, a decline in K+ and Ca2+ amounts in roots and K+/Na+ ratio was recorded. However, Na+ content in roots and the biosynthesis of soluble sugars and soluble proteins in leaves increased. Awlad Haffouzz and Korba cultivars succefully tolerated highest salinity level by accumulating more K+, Ca2+ in roots and containing the highest concentrations of soluble sugars and soluble protein in their leaves contrary to Souk jedid cultivar, considered as the sensitive cultivar

Pathogenic and mating type characterization of an uncommon wilt disease of citrus in Tunisia

Wilt disease on citrus trees in Tunisia have increased in significance in the northern and center of the country. Trunks and secondary branches of wilted trees were collected and used to isolate the main pathogen and assess pathogenicity on sour orange rootstock. In addition, Mating type (MAT) specific primers were used to assess the mating type of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht isolates. The distribution of MAT idiomorph may suggest that MAT1-1 is a predominant mating type in the F. oxysporum population. Wilt disease symptoms, recorded at the end of the pathogenicity tests, were associated with reduced plant growth and vigour, with shorter and thinner shoots, and limited number of roots. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on host specificity of isolates (sweet orange and tangerine), geographical origin (CapBon area and Kairouan) and severity index of the isolates showed three groups related to the specific host and origin. The present study has proved essential information on occurrence of mating types of F. oxysporum isolated from citrus

Impact of salt stress (NaCl) on growth, chlorophyll content and fluorescence of Tunisian cultivars of chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Salinity is considered as the most important abiotic stress limiting crop production and plants are known to be able continuing survive under this stress by involving many mechanisms. In this content, the present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of NaCl on some physiological and biochemical parameters in five Tunisian chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) cultivars: Tebourba (Tb), Somaa (Sm), Korba (Kb), Awald Haffouzz (AW) and Souk jedid (Sj). Thus, an experiment of five months was carried out under greenhouse at Higher Institute of Agronomy, Chott Meriem, Tunisia and stress is induced by NaCl at 7 concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12g/l). Results showed that increasing salinity stress, for all cultivars, had a negative impact on roots (length, fresh and dry weights) and leaves (number and area). Also, chlorophyll (a and b) amount in addition to quantium yield (Fv/Fm) decreased significantly. However, biosynthesis of proline in leaves is activated. Awlad Haffouzz and Korba cultivars succefully tolerated highest salinity level by accumulating more proline in leaves and maintaining usually higher values in all parameters in opposition to Souk jedid cultivar. Taken together, our data partly explain the mechanism used to ovoid salt stress by pepper plants when excessive in the culture medium

Study of the tolerance of ten accessions of carrot (Daucus carota L.) to salinity

The present work has focused on the assessment of the tolerance of ten accessions of carrot (L1, L2, L3, F4, E5, R7, R8, L10, G11 and S12) to salt stress, grown in the region of Sidi Bouzid. The tests were carried out under plastic greenhouse (during 5 months). The results obtained show that the salt stress reduced the parameters of growth and production. However, a difference in the response to salt stress was recorded between the accessions studied. A reduction in yield of up to 70 % with the concentration 3 g / l of NaCl, for different accessions studied is recorded. However, the accession L1 who has given the longer roots and dry matter yield and the largest root shows the most tolerant accessions unlike L10, G11 and S12 which are the most sensitive

Effect of NaCl Priming on Seed Germination of Tunisian Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Under Salinity Conditions

Salinity is one major problem of increasing production in crop growing areas throughout the world. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of NaCl priming on seed germination of Tunisian fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under salinity conditions. Seeds of fenugreek were primed with NaCl (4g/l) for 36 h in continuous 25°C. Experimental factors were included 2 priming treatments (NaCl and non-priming as control) and five salinity solution (4,6,8,10 and 12 gl-1). Results showed that seed priming increased final germination percentage, germination speed and radicle length over the non-primed treatment. At the lowest levels of salinity, there were no notable differences between primed and non-primed seeds, but with increasing salinity levels, primed seeds showed the better performance than non-primed seeds. These results indicated that NaCl priming significantly improved seed performance under salinity conditions