Identification of stable lentil genotypes through genotype by environment interactions on yield potential in Morocco

Genotype by environment (G×E) interaction study becomes essential for selecting high and stable yielding genotypes. Altogether 64 lentil genotypes representing improved varieties, landraces and advanced lines were evaluated under 6 environments for green cover, phenological characters, grain yield and 1000 seed weight. Variance analysis revealed highly significant effects of genotype, environment and genotype by environment interaction for all studied traits. The environment had the greatest effect with 75.7% of the total sum of squares. AMMI-GGE biplot identified 3 mega-environments where Z32 advanced lines were performed in the first one (E1, E4 and E5); Z33 was the best in the second mega-environment (E2 and E3), of which E2 (SAD18) was characterized as discriminating and representative environment for selecting adaptable genotypes. While VR4 and LR4 were the winning genotypes in the third mega-environment represented by E6. According to 7 stability methods, Z33, Z32, Z31, Z13 and G03 lines were the most stable and resilient in all environments. In addition, five landraces (PA6, LR4, LR10, LR6 and PA1) showed a high yielding potential that could be used as a source of genotype candidates to develop novel resilient varieties of lentils. Varieties VR9 was recommended for both favorable and unfavorable environments, VR6 for unfavorable and VR3 for favorable environment. Otherwise, genotypes were grouped into 3 clusters with 90% of similarity. The third one gathered the highest yielding genotypes (Z33 and Z32), which were the most stable that could be promoted for developing resilient varieties for climatic changing environments

On-farm conservation of Zaer lentil genetic resources

La lentille de Zaer est maintenue dans un agrosystème traditionnel qui associe le savoir local et la diversité génétique. Elle est caractérisée par une adaptation spécifique aux contraintes environnementales locales et par une notoriété en rapport avec ses qualités technologiques et organoleptiques. Cette étude vise l’identification des pratiques agricoles à l’origine du maintien de son potentiel d’adaptation et de sa typicité. Elle s’est basée sur (1) une enquête menée auprès des producteurs sur le système de production et de gestion de semences, (2) une analyse de la diversité génétique de la lentille de Zaer, et (3) la détermination de sa valeur technologique et nutritionnelle. Les résultats montrent que sa conservation in situ est liée au système de production et d’échange de semences, sa diversité génétique est structurée par typologie d’agriculteurs et par année climatique avec un polymorphisme variant de 21,7 % à 91,8 % et à ses caractéristiques organoleptiques typiques. Sa préservation in situ est renforcée par sa qualification sous un label de qualité lié à son origine géographique (IG). Mots-clés: Lentille de Zaer, savoir-faire local, diversité génétique, conservation in situ, typicité, Maroc.Zaer lentil has been on-farm conserved thanks to farmers’ knowledges and practices add to its genetic diversity. Its notoriety is related to its specific adaptation and organoleptic traits. The main objective of this study is to identify farmers’ practices that have allowed a dynamic adaptation potential and an add value on quality product. It was based on (1) farmers’ survey on seed management system, (2) Zaer lentil genetic diversity analysis using agro-morphological traits and (3) technological and nutritional analysis. The results show that the on-farm conservation of Zaer lentil is linked to its specific adaptation related to seed production and seed exchange system, to its genetic diversity (21.7 % <P<91.8 %) which depend on farmers’ category and growing season climate, and to its typical organoleptic characteristics. The adding-value of Zaer lentil under a distinctive sign of origin and quality (IG) since 2015 might strengthen its on-farm conservation. Keywords: Zaer lentil, On-farm conservation, genetic diversity, specific adaptation, typicality, Morocco &nbsp

On-farm conservation of Zaer lentil genetic resources

La lentille de Zaer est maintenue dans un agrosystème traditionnel qui associe le savoir local et la diversité génétique. Elle est caractérisée par une adaptation spécifique aux contraintes environnementales locales et par une notoriété en rapport avec ses qualités technologiques et organoleptiques. Cette étude vise l’identification des pratiques agricoles à l’origine du maintien de son potentiel d’adaptation et de sa typicité. Elle s’est basée sur (1) une enquête menée auprès des producteurs sur le système de production et de gestion de semences, (2) une analyse de la diversité génétique de la lentille de Zaer, et (3) la détermination de sa valeur technologique et nutritionnelle. Les résultats montrent que sa conservation in situ est liée au système de production et d’échange de semences, sa diversité génétique est structurée par typologie d’agriculteurs et par année climatique avec un polymorphisme variant de 21,7 % à 91,8 % et à ses caractéristiques organoleptiques typiques. Sa préservation in situ est renforcée par sa qualification sous un label de qualité lié à son origine géographique (IG). Mots-clés: Lentille de Zaer, savoir-faire local, diversité génétique, conservation in situ, typicité, Maroc.Zaer lentil has been on-farm conserved thanks to farmers’ knowledges and practices add to its genetic diversity. Its notoriety is related to its specific adaptation and organoleptic traits. The main objective of this study is to identify farmers’ practices that have allowed a dynamic adaptation potential and an add value on quality product. It was based on (1) farmers’ survey on seed management system, (2) Zaer lentil genetic diversity analysis using agro-morphological traits and (3) technological and nutritional analysis. The results show that the on-farm conservation of Zaer lentil is linked to its specific adaptation related to seed production and seed exchange system, to its genetic diversity (21.7 % <P<91.8 %) which depend on farmers’ category and growing season climate, and to its typical organoleptic characteristics. The adding-value of Zaer lentil under a distinctive sign of origin and quality (IG) since 2015 might strengthen its on-farm conservation. Keywords: Zaer lentil, On-farm conservation, genetic diversity, specific adaptation, typicality, Morocco &nbsp

Targeting resilient lentil genotypes with an adding value of nutritional quality by using AMMI and GGE biplots analysis

The current study aims to assess the impact of different genotypes, environmental conditions, and their interactions (G×E) on lentil yield and nutritive traits in various agro-ecological locations across Morocco. To achieve this, two analysis methods, Analysis of Main Additive Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI), and Genotype and Genotype by Environment (GGE) were used. The study involved evaluating sixty-four lentil genotypes in six diverse environments during the 2017–2018 and 2019–2020 seasons. Results from the analysis of variance revealed that environmental variation significantly influenced grain yield (75.7%), zinc (48.4%), and magnesium (73.3%). In contrast, genotype by environment interaction (G×E) played a more substantial role in determining protein (45.7%), iron (53.2%), and manganese (49.6%) content. The first two components explained 69.2%, 78.3%, 90.5%, 79.3%, 71.4%, and 74.3% of the variation in grain yield, protein content, iron, zinc, manganese, and magnesium, respectively. The GGE biplot analysis identified specific environments (E3 and E5) as representative and discriminative for yield, zinc, and manganese. Similarly, E3 and E4 were discriminative for iron and protein and magnesium, respectively. Seventeen lentil genotypes exhibited high performance, combining yield and nutritional quality. Notably, genotypes LN34 and VR28 performed well in the Marchouch 2019-2020 environment, while genotype LN54 excelled in the Douyet and Sidi el Aydi environments during 2019-2020. Furthermore, three advanced lines (LN34, LN58 and LN64) expressed stability in yield and most nutrient traits, outperforming released lentil varieties. These promising lines hold potential for developing novel, resilient lentil varieties with both high yield and nutritive quality

On-farm Conservation of Zaer Lentil Landrace in Context of Climate Change and Improved Varieties Competition

Abstract Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) landrace of Zaer had been on-farm conserved thanks to ingenious farmers' practices. Farmers had selected, produced and maintained their landrace to satisfy their food security, ecological and economical needs. However, the increase of drought incidence had encouraged farmers to gradual abandonment of their landrace for L 56 improved variety to increase productivity and incomes. The landrace is therefore threatened for genetic drift by climatic change, varieties innovation and economic development. The main objective of this study is to strengthen the on farm conservation of lentil landrace of Zaer through its promotion under a distinctive sign of origin and quality in accordance with national agricultural policy. Thus, the investigation is focused on analyzing (i) farmers' knowledge through field survey of 41 farmers randomly chosen across Zaer region, (ii) genetic structure of landrace as meta-population and by four geographical locations using biochemical markers (SDS-PAGE), and (iii) genetic relationship between the landrace and L 56 improved variety cultivated in Zaer. Data analysis had provide us with valuable information's on seed management according to climate and farmers' category, genetic structure of landrace as meta-population which was shaped by both natural pressures and human practices, and on seeds flow between landrace and L 56 variety that might be linked to seed acquisition, spatial organization of production field or to post-harvest seed management

Study of the agro-morphological and technological genetic variability of the Mediterranean populations of durum wheat

le blé dur (Triticum turgidum var. durum) est la troisième espèce la plus cultivée au monde et la deuxième au Maroc. Ce travail a pour objectif d’étudier l’influence de l’environnement et du fond génétique sur l’adaptation, le rendement et ses composantes ainsi que sur la qualité technologique de deux populations de blé dur (76 accessions et 120 lignées recombinées). Deux essais de génotypes blé dur ont été installés dans deux stations expérimentales de l’INRA à savoir Sidi El Aidi et Merchouch. Des observations concernant la croissance, le rendement et la qualité technologique du grain récolté ont été effectuées et analysées. L’analyse en composantes principales (ACP) a permis de faire des groupes homogènes et des associations des caractères de différentes accessions et RILs. L’analyse de certains aspects de qualité (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), Taux de Vitrosité (TV), Indice de Jaune (IJ) et Taux de Cendres (TC)) a permis de déceler une variabilité importante et similaire pour les deux populations. L’analyse électro-phorétique a montrée que 58 % des accessions et 62 % des LR  présentent une bonne force de gluten. En plus, il y avait des corrélations entre ces caractères d’une part, et entre ces mêmes caractères et les caractères agro-morphologiques d’autre part. La constitution des deux populations a montrée une grande variabilité multi-axe, ce qui démontre une grande possibilité de combinaison de gènes et d’adaptation. Ce matériel contient une grande part d’ingrédients génétiques nécessaires pour un programme d’amélioration génétique méditerranéen.    Mots clés: Blé dur, accessions, lignées recombinantes, variabilité génétique, caractères agro-morphologiques, caractères technologiques.  Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. Durum) is the third mostly grown crop in the world and second in Morocco. This work aims to study the influence the genetic and the environmental effect on the adaptation, the yield and its components and on the grain quality of two durum wheat populations (76 durum accessions and 120 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs)). Two trials were installed in two INRA experimental stations, namely Sidi El Aidi (Settat) and Merchouch (Rabat). Several measurements on growth and phenological stages were carried out and analyzed and quality traits were measured in laboratory after harvest. The Principal Components Analysis (ACP) was performed to relate phenological traits and grain quality traits among RILs and accessions. Analysis of certain aspects of quality (Dodecyl Sodium Sulphates (SDS), Vitreousness Rate (TV), Yellow Index (IJ) and Ash content (TC) also allowed to detect an important and similar variability for the two populations. The electrophoresis analysis showed that 58% from the accessions and 62% of RILs present a good gluten force. Moreover, there were correlations between these characters on the one hand, and these characters and the agromorphologic characters on the other hand. A great multi-axis variability was observed which can serve as a base for new variation. This variation is controlled by many useful genes which can be used in durum wheat programs to release new varieties adapted to Moroccan environment and presenting good quality genes for durum wheat. Keywords: Durum wheat, accessions, recombinant inbred lines (RILs), genetic variability, agro-morphologic traits and grain quality

Evolution from durum wheat landraces to recent improved varieties in Morocco in terms of productivity increase on detriment of grain quality

Les variétés de blé dur ont constitué jusqu’à la première moitié du siècle dernier, la principale source de production de blé marocain. Ce germoplasme local est encore cultivé dans les zones marginales, en particulier dans les montagnes et les régions sub-sahariennes. Au cours des dernières décennies du 20ème et du début du 21ème siècle, l’amélioration génétique a conduit à la création de nouveaux cultivars de blé dur hautement homogènes et plus productifs. Le présent article étudie l’évolution de la variabilité génétique des populations locales de blé dur aux variétés améliorées en termes de productivité et de qualité, en utilisant une série historique de génotypes marocains de blé dur groupés selon leur période d’inscription au catalogue officiel; “Populations locales/Anciens cultivars”, “Cultivars intermédiaires” et “Variétés améliorées”. Une amélioration significative a été réalisée dans la productivité du blé dur. Les cultivars modernes dépassent leurs prédécesseurs en termes de caractéristiques liées à la productivité. Le gain génétique a été clairement associé à une réduction du cycle végétatif et de la hauteur de la plante, permettant une réduction du rendement en paille et par conséquent, une augmentation du rendement en grains estimé à 15,4 Kg/ha/an. Cependant, les résultats ont révélé une réduction des valeurs de presque tous les caractères de qualité; -0,12 % par an pour la teneur en protéines, -0,30 % par an pour la teneur en gluten, -0,31 % par an pour la teneur en pigments jaunes et -0,19 % par an pour le taux de vitrosité. Par ailleurs, les résultats, soulignent la variabilité importante des attributs de qualité des grains chez les génotypes de populations locales. Ce germoplasme local peut être utilisé comme source de gènes de qualité dans le programme de sélection de blé dur pour développer de nouvelles variétés combinant à la fois une productivité élevée et une meilleure qualité du grain. Mots-clés: Blé dur, Populations locales, Variétés améliorées, Productivité, Qualité.Durum wheat landraces have constituted until the first half of the last century, the main source of Moroccan wheat production. This local germplasm is still cultivated in less favorable environments, particularly in mountains and sub-Saharan regions. In recent decades of the 20th and early 21st centuries, the genetic improvement had led to the release of new durum wheat cultivars highly uniform and more productive. The present paper investigates the evolution of genetic variability in terms of productivity and quality related traits using an historical series of Moroccan durum wheat genotypes grouped according to their period of release into “Landraces/ Old cultivars”, “Intermediate cultivars” and “Modern cultivars”. A significant improvement was achieved in Moroccan durum wheat productivity. Modern cultivars exceeded their predecessors in terms of productivity related traits. The genetic gain was clearly associated with a reduction in plant growth cycle and plant height lowering the straw yield which resulted in an increase of grain yield estimated to 15.4 Kg/ha/year. However, results revealed a reduction in terms of almost all quality related traits; -0.12 % per year for protein content, -0.30 % per year for gluten strength, -0.31 % per year for yellow pigment content, and -0.19 % per year for vitreousness. The results underline the important variability in grain quality attributes among landraces genotypes. This local germplasm may be used as sources of quality–improving attributes in durum wheat breeding program to develop new varieties combining both high productivity and grain quality. Keywords: Durum Wheat, Landraces, Modern Cultivars, Productivity, Quality

‘Nachit’, a wild-relative-derived durum wheat resilient to climate change in Morocco

Morocco, in North Africa, is a country vastly exposed to the whims of climate change,with frequent moisture and heat stresses occurring throughout the season. Hence,developing climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritious cultivars of durum wheat[Triticum turgidumL.durum(Desf.)] is a major goal and challenge of Moroccancrop breeders. In that sense, the exploitation of crop wild relatives (CWRs) holdsgreat potential to increase genetic diversity for critical adaptation traits. ‘Nachit’(Reg. no. CV-1202, PI 702365) is a CWR-derived durum wheat cultivar releasedin 2018 for cultivation in Morocco by a joint effort of the National Institute of Agro-nomic Research, Morocco and the International Center for Agricultural Research inthe Dry Areas. Nachit was released due to its good adaptation to the Moroccan dryconditions combined with high yield potential under irrigated conditions, extremelylarge grains, and richness in protein content. It also combines several traits for droughttolerance such as earliness and deep root system. Nachit was derived from a top crossbetween two elite lines and a wild emmer [T. turgidumssp.dicoccoides] collected inSyria. Hence, it provides a substantial example of exploitation of CWRs to achieve asuperior cultivar adapted to the climatic stresses and responding to human needs

Comparison of Agro-Phenological and Technological Traits in Advanced Durum Wheat Lines Differing in Reaction to Hessian Fly Infestation

The aim of this study was to compare agro-phenological and technological traits in advanced durum wheat lines differing in responses to Hessian fly larval attacks. A field experiment was carried out during the 2014/2015 cropping season at the main research stations of Marchouch and Tassaoute in a randomized completed block design. Twenty-two durum wheat genotypes comprising twenty advanced lines from the INRA breeding program and two commercial varieties were used in this study. Agro-phenological and grain quality determinations were concerned with plant height, grain yield, days to heading, protein content, wet gluten content, gluten strength, and yellow pigment content. The analysis of variance revealed significant environment, genotype, and genotype-by-environment (G × E) effects for the majority of the measured traits. A high level of heritability was also observed for grain yield (94.9%), followed by gluten strength (90.7%), yellow pigment content (79.3%), wet gluten content (77.79%), plant height (71.5), and protein content (70.02%); moderate levels of heritability were recorded for days to heading (65.8%). The data for Hessian fly resistance in both the field and infested greenhouse demonstrated three distinct group of genotypes: “resistant” with 4 genotypes, “susceptible without field escape to Hessian fly attack” with 16 genotypes, and “susceptible with field escape to Hessian fly attack” with 2 genotypes. The ANOVA analysis indicated the existence of significant differences between groups of genotypes for grain yield, days to heading, protein content, yellow pigment content, and gluten strength at the Tassaoute station, while at the Marchouch site, the differences were significant only for plant height and gluten strength. Protein content and wet gluten content revealed highly significant positive correlations, indicating the possibility of effective selection of the two traits simultaneously. Biplot analysis indicated that the first two Principal Components (PCs) accounted for 56.04% and 56.34% of the relationships between the genotypes and all of the attributes at the Marchouch and Tassaoute sites, respectively. The results of principal component analysis and Cluster based on agro-phenological and grain quality traits categorized the genotypes into three separate groups for the Marchouch site and four groups for the Tassaoute site. Individuals within each group are characterized by well-defined precocity, productivity, and technological criteria. The different behaviors of the lines studied in the present work are of great interest and can be exploited in breeding programs in order to improve agro-phenological and technological traits in durum wheat