Barley breeding for quality improvement in Tunisia

This study was initiated to assess the effectiveness of three selection procedures applied in the early  segregating generations of barley crosses for quality traits. The selection procedures were pedigree selection (PS), bulk selection (BS) and single seed descent selection (SSD). Selection was operated in F2’s crosses. Field trials were conducted with 19 F3 crosses of barley in two different environments, a sub-humid  environment at Beja and a semi-arid one at Kef. Heading date (HD), thousand kernel weight (TKW), protein  content (PC), â-glucan content (BG) and husk percentage (HP) were evaluated. Data were subjected to an  additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model to determine the efficiency of each method of selection for the proper environment. The results show that the AMMI model generated predictive  optimizing selection method. The pedigree selection was more efficient in high input environment, while the bulk method was very effective for the selection of kernel weight in target environment.Key words: Additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model, Barley, breeding methods, efficiency of selection, quality traits

TUNWeeds: A Smart Identification Tool for Brassicaceae Weeds in Rapeseed (Brassica napus) Crop in Tunisia

Rapeseed is the second oilseed in the world. Its cultivation requires successful weed control. Weed identification is critical in weed management programs. Two surveys of common weeds in rapeseed fields allowed us to identify a wide specific diversity of weed flora and a great identification difficulty of certain specimens. To facilitate this task, we have developed a web application (TUNWeeds) for Tunisian farmers and students. At first, we limited our database to 44 Brassicaceae weeds. Subsequently, we plan to extend this application to other botanical families. TUNWeeds can help farmers in chemical weed control, manage herbicide resistance problems, and monitor weed flora

BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF BARLEY RIHANE (HORDEUM VULGARE L.)

Background: Many experimental studies have suggested an important role for barley Rihane(BR)in the prevention of colon cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical properties and nutritional characterizations of BR compared to other varieties grown in Tunisia (Manel, Roho and Tej). Material and Methods: Total, insoluble and soluble dietary fiber(β-glucan),total protein, ash and some minerals of BR and Tunisian barley varieties were determined. Results: The results revealed that BR is good source of dietary fiber mainly β-glucan compared to the other varieties. This variety is a relatively rich source of phosphorous and potassium and it contains many important unsaturated fatty acids. BR has higher nutritional value than other varieties. Conclusion: Barley Rihane has significant nutritional characterizations compared to others Tunisian barleys varieties