Argania spinosa as potential oilseed resource for the future: genotype impact in oil content and fatty acids composition

Argania spinosa (L.) is one of the most economically and culturally important indigenous species in Morocco. Its seeds contain a vegetable oil, internationally known as argan oil, which is widely used in edible, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of variation in oil content and fatty acid composition of eighteen trees to identify genotypes with desirable traits in terms of oil quantity, quality and industrial utilization. Oil yield of eighteen genotypes was determined after mechanical pressing, and fatty acid methyl ester analysis was carried out using gas liquid chromatography. Obtained results show that oil yields ranged between 37.2 to 43.8% and major fatty acids in the extracted oil were oleic (47.15%), followed by linoleic (31.57%), palmitic (14.24%) and stearic (5.8%) acid. Fatty acids composition was significantly different among genotypes tested. Significant correlations, both positive and negative were located between some fatty acids. The high variability observed between genotypes represents a very promising base to develop a new argan variety with high oil quality

Impact of Climate change on the Bouregreg Watershed Vegetation and Forest of Morocco

This study aims to describe the meteorological conditions of the Bouregreg watershed, in order to answer the problematic dealing with the effect of climatic fluctuations on the forest resources, and also to describe the meteorological conditions of the sites favorable to the development of the forests, in order to address the issue dealing with the effect of climate fluctuations and climate change on the forest in the Bouregreg watershed, using climatological characterization, remote sensing and modeling in the study area. The work done is likely to further contribute to forest research, planning and integrated natural resource management. The adoption of modeling could help alert and drought and quantify areas at risk of desertification and fire in advance by forest management. Assessing the potential impacts of climate change on the forest and assessing the vulnerability of this sector is essential. The purpose of this work is to assess vulnerability in order to identify current impacts and threats and to identify strategies, policies and actions to address climate variability and change as well as to reduce the impacts and future vulnerability of these changes

Foliar application with salicylic acid alleviates cadmium toxicity in chia (Salvia hispanica L.)

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation is one of the serious global issues among the multitude of food security challenges. Their toxic effects are evident in different physiological and metabolic behaviors of plants. In this context, a potted study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of salicylic acid (SA) spraying in alleviating Cd toxicity in chia (Salvia hispanica) seedlings. This pseudocereal as a superfood is characterized by high nutritional value and high therapeutic potential. We examined some growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanin, antioxidant defense system, malondialdehyde (MDA), and certain osmoregulatory molecules. The results showed that the chia seedlings exposed to Cd showed a substantial decline in growth, especially in shoot and root length and number of leaves (25.5, 21.5, and 22.6%, respectively), whereas the aforesaid biochemical parameters were not significantly affected. However, SA treatment alleviated the Cd stress applied and markedly enhanced the stem and root growth, especially shoot length of about 32.3% compared to Cd treatment. Under combined treatment Cd+SA, we also recorded a significant increase in the accumulation of proline (85.3%) and anthocyanin (83.1%), and a significant enhancement in peroxidase activity (34.9%), compared to control. These responses exhibit the involvement of SA in mitigating Cd-induced oxidative damage and improving Cd tolerance in Chia. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed differences between individual and combined treatment. Based on these results, exogenous SA used in the right amounts could alleviate Cd-induced stress and boost chia seedlings’ growth

Screening of Native Plants Growing on a Pb/Zn Mining Area in Eastern Morocco: Perspectives for Phytoremediation

International audienceScreening of native plant species from mining sites can lead to identify suitable plants for phytoremediation approaches. In this study, we assayed heavy metals tolerance and accumulation in native and dominant plants growing on abandoned Pb/Zn mining site in eastern Morocco. Soil samples and native plants were collected and analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Sb, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) were determined for each element. Our results showed that soils present low organic matter content combined with high levels of heavy metals especially Pb and Zn due to past extraction activities. Native and dominant plants sampled in these areas were classified into 14 species and eight families. Principal components analysis separated Artemisia herba-alba with high concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb in shoots from other species. Four plant species, namely, Reseda alba, Cistus libanotis, Stipa tenacissima, and Artemisia herba-alba showed strong capacity to tolerate and hyperaccumulate heavy metals, especially Pb, in their tissues. According to BCF, TF, and BAC, these plant species could be used as effective plants for Pb phytoextraction. Stipa tenacissima and Artemisia herba-alba are better suited for phytostabilization of Cd/Cu and Cu/Zn, respectively. Our study shows that several spontaneous and native plants growing on Pb/Zn contaminated sites have a good potential for developing heavy metals phytoremediation strategies