Preliminary characterization of slow growing rhizobial strains isolated from Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss. root nodules from Northwest coast of Algeria

In this paper, we did some preliminary characterization of six slow growing rhizobial strains, isolated from Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss. root nodules sampled from 3 sites along the coast of Oran (CapeFalcon, Bousfer and MersElHadjadj) in Northwestern Algeria. Results of this study showed that all strains had a very slow growth rate in yeast malt (YM) agar medium, forming colonies less than 1 mm in diameter after seven days incubation. Catalase, oxidase and urease were positive, 3-ketolactose was negative. All strains resisted alkaline pH up to 9 and salinity equal to 2% (w/v) NaCl. They grew from 14 to 30°C with optimum growth at 28°C which is related to their place of presence (marine sand dunes Mediterranean climate). The strains used are, on the one hand D-glucose and D-galactose as carbon source and on the other hand L-leucine, L-tyrosine as nitrogen source. The nodulation tests performed pointed out that the total dry weight of the plant could go up to 1.7 g per plant and the maximum number of nodules was equal to 5.6 nodules per plant for the strain RMB1 from Bousfer site. The intrinsic antibiotic resistance level in all strains was tested against nine antibiotics; they revealed a variability of resistance against spectinomycin (10 μg , erythromycin (15 μgml-1, rifampicin (30 μgml-1), streptomycin (500 μgml-1), kanamycin (30 μgml-1), naldixic acid (30 μgml-1), penicillin (6 μgml-1) and tetracycline (30 μgml-1) except for gentamycin (500 μgml-1). The results of electrophoresis on 0.7% agarose gel showed the presence of chromosomal DNA and absence of plasmids.Key words: Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss., Bradyrhizobium, symbiosis, root nodules, nitrogen fixation, endemic legumes, Algeria

A representação do islã no romance argelino em árabe

We discuss in this article the representation of the rise of Islam in the Algerian novel in Arabic.In spite of the importance of the relationship between the novel and the question of the rise of Islam in Algeria, this is little studied, although some authors consider this question that emerges in force in recent years, especially with events that the world has experienced. We two novelists and Tahar Ouettar Waciny Laredj wrote the first novels whose subject is the emergence of radical Islam in Algeria in the nineties.Neste artigo abordaremos a representação do avanço do islamismo no romance argelino de expressão árabe. Apesar da importância das relações entre os romances e a questão do avanço do islamismo na Argélia, este assunto é pouco estudado, ainda que alguns autores se interessem a esta questão que se impõe fortemente nestes últimos anos, sobretudo com os  acontecimentos que o mundo viveu. Tahar Ouettar e Waciny Laredj foram os primeiros autores a escrever romances cujo assunto é a aparição do islam radical na Argélia nos anos noventa

Assessment of landslide susceptibility in the rocky coast subsystem of Essaouira, Morocco

The work has been financed by national funds through FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology, I. P.), in the framework of the project “HighWaters – Assessing sea level rise exposure and social vulnerability scenarios for sustainable land use planning” (EXPL/GESAMB/1246/2021)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) and temperature on seed germination of Capparis spinosa L.

Seed germination of Capparis spinosa L. is highly important for ecology, medicine, and economics. The present study aimed to determine the effects of six pretreatments and two temperature regimes, T1: 9/35.7°C (Laboratory) and T2: 1/43°C (Greenhouse), on Capparis spinosa L. seeds' germination rate and latency time. Different pretreatments were tested, including scarification (P1) and seed imbibition in water (P2 and P3) and gibberellic acid (GA3) (P4, P5 and P6).The results showed that the highest germination rate (68.33%) was observed in the laboratory for the control seeds (T1, P0), followed by (58,33%) for seeds soaked in water for 48 hours (T1 P3),(56,67%) for seeds soaked in 200 ppm ofGA3 (T1, P4),(53,33%)for seeds soaked in 400 ppm and 600 ppm of GA3 (T1, P5andT1, P6), (48,33%)for seeds soaked in water for 24 hours (T1 P2), and (51,43%) for the control seeds in greenhouse (T2, P0), whereas the lowest germination rate (12.86%) was recorded in the greenhouse temperature, which was detrimental to seed germination, for seeds soaked in 600 ppm of GA3 (T2, P6). Germination latency times were shorter after soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours. Finally, seed germination of C. spinosa is subjected to several factors that may influence the total percentage of germination and latency time.

Landslide susceptibility assessment in the rocky coast subsystem of Essaouira, Morocco

In recent decades, multiple researchers have produced landslide susceptibility maps using different techniques and models, including the information value method, which is a statistical model that is widely applied to various coastal environments. This study aimed to evaluate susceptibility to landslides in the Essaouira coastal area using bivariate statistical methods. In this study, 588 distinct landslides were identified, inventoried, and mapped. Landslides are performed by means of observation and interpretation of different data sources, namely high-resolution satellite images, aerial photographs, topographic maps, and extensive field surveys. The rocky coastal system of Essaouira is located in the middle of the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The study area was split into 1534 cliff terrain units that were 50 m in width. For training and validation purposes, the landslide inventory was divided into two independent groups: 70 % for training and 30 % for validation. Twenty-two layers of landslide conditioning factors were prepared – namely, elevation, slope angle, slope aspect, plan curvature, profile curvature, cliff height, topographic wetness index, topographic position index, slope over area ratio, solar radiation, presence of faulting, lithological units, toe lithology, presence and type of cliff toe protection, layer tilt, rainfall, streams, land-use patterns, normalised difference vegetation index, lithological material grain size, and presence of springs. The statistical relationship between the conditioning factors and the different landslide types was calculated using the bivariate information value method in a pixel-based model and in the elementary terrain units-based model. Coastal landside susceptibility maps were validated using landslide training group partitions. The receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve were used to assess the accuracy and prediction capacity of the different coastal landslide susceptibility models. Two methodologies, considering a pixel-based approach and using coastal terrain units, were adopted to evaluate coastal landslide susceptibility. The results allowed for the classification of 38 % of the rocky coast subsystem as having high susceptibility to landslides, which were mostly located in the southern part of the Essaouira coastal area. These susceptibility maps will be useful for future planned development activities as well as for environmental protection.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Machine learning models for spatial prediction of groundwater potentiality in a large semi-arid mountainous region: application to the rherhaya watershed, High Atlas, Morocco

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Flood Susceptibility Assessment through Statistical Models and HEC-RAS Analysis for Sustainable Management in Essaouira Province, Morocco

Floods are natural disasters that often impact communities living in low-lying areas in the northern and central parts of Morocco. In this study, our aim was to create a flood susceptibility map using three methods; the hierarchy process (AHP) frequency ratio model (FR) and the weights of evidence (WoE) model. We extensively examined the area identified by these approaches using a hydraulic analysis software called HEC-RAS (version 6.3.1). Our analysis focused on the Essaouira watersheds in Morocco, where we identified around 197 flood locations. Out of these, we randomly selected 70% for modeling purposes while the remaining 30% were used for validation. Ten factors that influence floods were considered, such as slope, elevation, proximity to rivers, drainage density, stream order, land use patterns, rainfall data, lithology (permeability level) index (TWI), and curvature. We obtained these factors from data sources. Finally, we generated a flood susceptibility map and evaluated its accuracy by calculating the area under the curve (AUC). The validation results confirmed that all three models were robust and effective with an AUC of 90. Moreover, the research uncovered a trend of vulnerability with the most susceptible area being in close proximity to the city of Essaouira along the Oued Ksob. A detailed analysis using HEC-RAS was conducted at this identified location, pinpointing the village of Diabat as highly exposed. These findings hold significance for flood management, empowering decision makers, scholars, and urban planners to make informed choices and implement strategies that can minimize the impact of floods in susceptible regions while minimizing potential damages.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio