Effet de l’irrigation sur la reprise des jeunes plants d’arganier après transplantation au terrain

Le présent travail de recherche s’inscrit dans le cadre du programme de recherche d’appui au ‘’Projet Arganier’’. Il est coordonné par l’association Agrotechnologies du Souss-Massa-Draa (Agrotech) en partenariat avec un consortium de chercheurs sur l’arganier. Ce travail a pour objectif de déterminer les doses et fréquences d’irrigation favorables pour une meilleure reprise des plants d’arganier après transplantation sur trois sites appartenant à des zones agro-climatiques différentes; Taksbite sur un plateau à climat océanique, Anzad sur un piémont de montagne à climat continental et Tinzert à géographie et climat montagneuse. Les résultats de ce travail ont montré que la dose de 16 L/plant et la fréquence d’un mois sont recommandées sur le site de Taksbite. Cependant, sur le site d’Anzad, ces résultats ont démontré que la dose de 36 L/plant et les deux fréquences; 1 et 2 mois sont conseillés. De même, la dose de 35 L/plant et la fréquence de 2 mois se sont montrées plus efficientes sur le site de Tinzert. Enfin, cette expérimentation a mis en évidence l’existence d’une grande hétérogénéité au sein de cette population, due principalement à sa grande diversité génétique et son adaptation aux conditions agro-climatiques de chaque site de plantation. Mots clés : Arganier, irrigation, régénérationThis work is part of the research program supporting the ‘’ Argan Project ‘’. It is coordinated by the Agrotechnologies Association of Souss-Massa-Draa (Agrotech) in partnership with a consortium of researchers on the argan tree. The purpose of this work is to determine the favorable doses and frequencies of irrigation for a better recovery of argan plants after transplantation in three sites belonging to different agro-climatic zones; Taksbite on an ocean climate plateau, Anzad on a mountain foothill with continental climate and Tinzert with a mountain geography and climate. The results of this work showed that the dose of 16 L/plant and the frequency of one month are recommended for the Taksbite site. However, on the Anzad site, results demonstrated that the dose of 36 L/plant and both frequencies, 1 and 2 months, are recommended. Similarly, the dose of 35 L/plant and the frequency of 2 months were more efficient at the Tinzert site. Finally, this experiment revealed the existence of a great heterogeneity within argan population mainly due to its great genetic diversity and its adaptation to the agro-climatic conditions of each plantation site.  Keywords:  Argan tree, irrigation, regeneratio

The effect of Leonardite humic substances on the growth and vegetative propagation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Le safran (Crocus sativus L.) est une espèce géophyte triploïde stérile (2n=3x=24) à floraison automnale et appartenant à la famille des Iridacées. Cette plante triploïde se propage par reproduction végétative par la formation de cormes filles à partir des cormes mère, car les fleurs sont stériles et ne produisent pas de graines viables. En fait, de nombreux facteurs entravent la propagation efficace du safran par cette pratique traditionnelle et les faibles taux de multiplication des cormes dans les conditions naturelles réduisent la productivité, limitant ainsi la disponibilité du matériel de plantation. Ainsi, l'objectif principal de ce travail est de tester l'effet des substances humiques (SH) sur la croissance et la multiplication végétative du safran. Les principaux résultats des essais indiquent que les SH améliorent la croissance et le développement du safran, et l'intensité de la réponse dépend de la concentration utilisée et du mode d'application. En fait, le traitement temporaire des cormes avec les SH (50 et 100 ppm) a amélioré la croissance des plantes et des cormes filles mais n'a pas d’effet significatif sur le nombre de pousses et de cormes filles.Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is an autumn-flowering and sterile triploid (2n=3x=24) geophyte species that belong to the Iridaceae family. This triploid plant is propagated by vegetative reproduction through the formation of daughter corms from the mother corm, as the flowers are sterile and fail to produce viable seeds. In fact, many factors hamper the efficient propagation of saffron through this traditional practice and the low multiplication rates of daughter corms under natural conditions reduce productivity, thereby restraining the availability of planting material. Thus, the main objective of this work is to test the effect of humic substances (HS) on saffron vegetative propagation. The main results of trials indicate that HS improves the saffron plant's growth and development, and the intensity of response depends on the concentration used and the mode of application. In fact, the temporary treatment of corms with HS (50 and 100 ppm) improved plant and daughter corms growth but did not affect the number of shoots and corms

Management of plant parasitic nematodes by means of organic amendment

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) are one of the major biological constraints in various economically important crops across the world. The use of nematicides as an effective means for the control of PPN can be environmentally hazardous. Alternatively, the utilization of organic amendments has been proposed as a suitable and economically feasible method for managing plant parasitic nematodes. In this review we provide information from across multiple studies on the use of soil organic amendment as a promising approach for suppressing plant parasitic nematodes, enhancing plant productivity, and promoting global food security

Bilan apparent d’azote à l’échelle de différents types d’exploitations agricoles de la région du Souss-Massa

In order to have information and data on nitrogen balance of different types of farms in the region of Souss-Massa (Morocco), the apparent balance method was used in this study. The terms of the balance are expressed on per hectare basis of cropped agricultural land using the difference between the Sum of Inputs (kg N/ha/year) and the Sum of Outputs (kg N/ha/year). The balance of the different cropping systems showed a very highly significant difference between them. The average nitrogen surpluses (balances) are very disparate between farm types ranging from 23 kg N/ha/year in extensive cereal farming associated with vegetables and 1026 kg N/ha/year for the system characterized by diversified intensive vegetables (tomato, melon, green bean, pepper, cucumber) as well as the mixed system of banana and diversified intensive vegetables (tomato, watermelon, melon) having each one a high nitrogen surplus (about 1000 kg N/ha/year). The systems characterized by a monoculture of intensive tomato greenhouse production, citrus and diversified intensive vegetables, are similar and had an average surplus of 270 kg N/ha/year. The nitrogen balance is strongly correlated with inputs (r = 0.98 ***) and outputs (r = 0.94 ***). The results also showed that the use of nitrogen fertilizers and unsustained irrigation remains the main determining factor in aquifer nitrate pollution as nitrogen surplus is generally leached on sandy soils of low storage capacity. Key words: Nitrogen balance, cropping systems, nitrogen fertilization and nitrate pollution.Afin de disposer d’informations et de données sur le bilan d’azote de différents types d’exploitations agricoles de la région du Souss-Massa, la méthode du bilan apparent a été utilisée dans cette étude. Les termes du bilan sont exprimés par hectare de surface Agricole Utile (SAU) à travers la différence entre la Somme des Entrées (kg N/ha/an) et la Somme des Sorties (kg N/ha/an). Les bilans des différents systèmes de cultures ont montré une différence très hautement significative entre eux. De même, les excédents (bilans) d’azote moyens sont très disparates entre types d’exploitations allant de 23 kg N/ha/an en céréaliculture extensive associée au maraîchage vivrier à 1026 kg N/ha/an pour le système caractérisé par le maraîchage intensif diversifié (tomate, melon, haricot vert, poivron, concombre) ainsi que le système composé de bananier et du maraîchage intensif diversifié (tomate, pastèque, melon) qui ont enregistré chacun un excédent en azote élevé (environ 1000 kg N/ha/an). Les systèmes caractérisés par une monoculture intensive de tomate sous-serre, les agrumes et le maraîchage intensif diversifié, sont similaires et ont enregistré un excédent moyen de l’ordre de 270 kg N/ha/an. Le bilan azoté est fortement corrélé aux entrées (r= 0,98***) et aux sorties (r= 0,94***). Les résultats ont aussi montré que l’utilisation des engrais azotés et l’irrigation non raisonnées reste le principal facteur déterminant dans la pollution nitrique de la nappe, vue que le surplus en azote est généralement lessivé des sols sableux de faible capacité de stockage. Mots clés: Bilan d’azote, systèmes de culture, fertilisation azotée et pollution nitrique

Effet de la durée d’exploitation de la culture du safran, installée à différentes densités, sur la production et la multiplication des cormes «semences» dans la région de Taliouine

In Taliouine region, the expansion of saffron cultivation requires the availability of good quality corms as propagated material. It is essential to establish an on-farm multiplication scheme to optimize corms production. A multi-year experiment over 5 seasons was carried out to study saffron behavior, planted at different planting densities (35, 50 and 100 corms/m2) in comparison with the traditional planting method (150 corms/m2), in local conditions of Taliouine. The results showed that low planting densities (35 and 50 corms/m2) favored higher multiplication rates of replacement corm and the number harvested was significantly similar to high planting density and to the traditional method. Nevertheless, the latter methods have produced low-weight replacement corms because of the negative effect on their sizes. On the other hand, in the case of low densities, 65% and 75% of corms had a satisfactory size, ensuring good production of saffron spice. Finally, we conclude that production and multiplication of corms “seeds” is directly related to the choice of planting density and expected yield of stigmas and corms according to the age of this perennial crop. Keywords: Saffron, corm, planting density, multiplication, TaliouineDans la région de Taliouine, le projet d’extension des superficies de la culture du safran suscite la question de la disponibilité des cormes-semences de bonne qualité. Il est primordial de dresser un schéma de multiplication en plein champ et d’optimiser la production des cormes «semence». Une expérimentation pluriannuelle, sur 5 saisons, dont l’objectif est l’étude du comportement d’une safranière installée à différentes densités (35, 50 et 100 cormes/m2) en comparaison avec le mode traditionnel (semis en poquet à 150 cormes/m2), a été réalisé dans les conditions du terroir de Taliouine. Les résultats ont montré que les densités de plantation légères (35 et 50 cormes/m2) ont engendré des taux de multiplication supérieurs et un rendement en nombre de cormes récoltés significativement semblables au cas des hautes densités et de la méthode traditionnelle de semis. Néanmoins, ces derniers cas ont engendré une production de cormes de remplacement de faibles poids et un effet négatif sur leurs calibres. Dans le cas de faibles densités, 65% et 75% des cormes ont un diamètre commercial supérieur assurant une bonne production de safran épice. La production et la multiplication des cormes de safran est directement liée au choix de la densité et du rendement escompté. Mots clés: Safran, corme, densité de plantation, multiplication, Taliouin

Contribution of transpiration models to the improvement of tomato irrigation management under monospan and canarian greenhouse in Souss Massa region

Cette étude présente une comparaison de la performance de quatre modèles d’estimation de l’évapotranspiration journalière (ET) sous serre. Les modèles étudiés sont De Villèle (ETDV), Penman-Monteith (ETPM), Stanghellini (ETST) et enfin le modèle Takakura (ETTK), basé sur l’équation du bilan de chaleur au niveau du couvert végétal. L’étude a été conduite durant deux campagnes de production de la tomate (2012 et 2013), sous deux types de serre (monochapelle et canarienne) localisées au Domaine Expérimental Melk Zhar à Balfae (INRA Agadir). Les modèles ETST et ETPM simulent correctement la transpiration de la tomate aussi bien pour les valeurs mesurées que pour le gain journalier de la tige de la tomate (CM/GJ) sous serre Monochapelle (R²= 0,55 et 0,62). Dans le même sens, nous avons dégagé une relation satisfaisante entre l’Eff-TR (l’efficience de transpiration de la plante) et le rapport CM/GJ en utilisant le modèle ETST, respectivement sous les serres monochapelle et canarienne (R²= 0,67; 0,58). L’étude a identifié des seuils critiques ou bien des bases de référence de l’état hydrique de la tomate: confort hydrique (0,40<CM/GJ<0,50 et 70<Eff-TR<90%); surestimation de l’irrigation (CM/GJ<0,42 et Eff-TR<70% et stress hydrique (CM/GJ>0,46 et Eff-TR>90%). Par ailleurs, la comparaison des moyennes suivant le niveau de rendement a permis de dégager 3 groupes de modèles ET; ETST (318 t/ha) > ETTK (272 t/ha) > ETDV~ETPM (236-249 t/ha). Mots clés: Modèle d’évapotranspiration, Tomate sous serre, gain journalier de la tige, efficience de transpiration, état hydrique de la plante, rendement.This study compared the performance of four models to estimate the daily evapotranspiration (ET) in the greenhouse. The studied models were De Villele model (ETDV), Penman-Monteith model (ETPM), Stanghellini model (ETST) and finally Takakura (ETTK) transpiration model, based on heat balance equation of the crop canopy. The study was conducted during two tomato cropping seasons (2012 and 2013) under two greenhouses types (Monospan and Canarian), at INRA Melk Zhar Experiment Station (Agadir, Morocco). ETST and ETPM models correctly simulated tomato transpiration for both measured values and daily gain of the tomato stem (MC/DG) in the Monospan greenhouse (R² = 0,55 and 0,62). Similarly, we have reached a satisfactory relationship between the Eff-TR (the efficiency of plant transpiration) and the ratio MC/DG using the ETST model under Monospan and Canarian greenhouses (R² = 0,67; 0,58) respectively. The study identified critical thresholds or water status baselines of tomato: water comfort (0,40 <MC/DG < 0,50 and 70 < Eff-TR <90%); overestimation of irrigation (MC/DG < 0,42 and Eff-TR < 70% and water stress (MC/DG > 0,46 and Eff-TR > 90%). In addition, the comparison of means according to yield level identified three groups of ET models; ETST (318 T/ha)> ETTK (272 t/ha)> ~ ETDV~ETPM (236-249 t/ha). Keywords: Evapotranspiration model, greenhouse tomato, daily gain of stem, transpiration efficiency, plant water status, yield

Effet de la fertilité des sols et de la fertilisation sur les jeunes plants de l’arganier après transplantation en milieu naturel

The study on the effect of soil fertility and the supply of mineral and organic fertilizers on the success of argan seedlings transplantation in the natural environment was conducted by the INRA Agadir team in the Souss-Massa region. Three sites were chosen: Taksbit (Massa), Anzad (Ait Baha) and Tinzert (Taroudant). For the evaluation of soil fertility status of the three sites, soil analyzes were carried for each site. Overall, results showed that the sampled soils have very limited mineral fertility. Indeed, they have contents of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and trace elements that were below normal values. Similarly, soils of the different sites have an alkaline pH and in the presence of vegetation with an undeveloped root system, nutrient assimilation would become more difficult. In this sense, two trials in Taksbit and Tinzert sites were conducted on the effect of application of organic (local manure) and mineral fertilizers on argan seedlings transplantation. These field trials have shown that application of mineral (N, P, K) and organic fertilizers improved the transplantation of young argan plants by promoting their survival and growth in height and diameter. In the medium term, manure and biocompost improved soil fertility. Keywords: Argan tree, soil fertility, transplants, organic and minerals fertilizers.L’étude de l’effet de la fertilité des sols et de l’apport de fertilisants minéraux et organiques sur la réussite de la transplantation de l’arganier en milieu naturel a été conduite au terrain par l’équipe de l’INRA d’Agadir dans la région de Souss-Massa. Trois sites ont été choisis: Taksbit (Massa), Anzad (Ait Baha) et Tinzert (Taroudant). Pour la connaissance de l’état de la fertilité des sols des trois sites, des analyses de sol ont été effectuées pour chaque site. Globalement, les résultats ont montré que les sols étudiés ont un niveau de fertilité très limité. En effet, ils ont un taux de matière organique, une teneur en azote, en phosphore, en potassium assimilable, en oligo-éléments qui sont inférieurs aux valeurs normales. De même, les sols des différents sites ont un pH alcalin et en présence d’une végétation avec un système racinaire chétif, l’assimilation des éléments fertilisants devient plus difficile. Dans ce sens, deux essais dans les sites de Taksbit et de Tinzert ont été conduits sur l’effet des apports d’engrais organiques (fumier local) et minéraux. Ces essais, menés sur le terrain, ont montré que l’apport des engrais minéraux (N, P, K) et organiques améliore la transplantation des jeunes plants d’arganier en favorisant leur survie et leur croissance en hauteur et en diamètre. Dans le moyen terme, le fumier et le bio-compost améliorent la fertilité des sols. Mots Clés: Arganier, fertilité des sols, transplantation, fertilisants organiques et minéraux

Optimization of the explant disinfection method and in vitro multiplication of saffron (Crocus sativus L.).

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), renowned as the world’s most expensive spice extracted from its stigmas, is an autumn-flowering, sterile triploid geophyte species (2n=3x=24) belonging to the Iridaceae family. It is propagated vegetatively through the development of daughter corms from the mother corm. Low multiplication rates of daughter corms under natural conditions and many biotic and abiotic stresses reduce productivity, thereby restraining the availability of planting material. Thus, the main objective of this work is to improve the vegetative propagation of saffron through tissue culture. The results show that soaking of explants in 0.1% (w/v) mercury chloride (HgCl2) for 10 min is more effective for explant disinfection (95%), with a survival rate of over 85%. Whereas, for the initiation phase, the in vitro culture of whole corms on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg /L of 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in combination with 3 mg/L of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) was more effective, resulting in a sprouting rate of 90% with a maximum of 5 sprouted buds per explant. As for the multiplication phase, the highest number of shoots (4 shoots/single shoot explant) was observed on MS medium supplemented with 8 mg/L of BAP in combination with 0.5 mg/L of NAA. The results of this study can serve as a starting point for establishing an efficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration system in order to increase the number of shoots per explant for proliferation and micro-corms formation phases by exploring other culture media with different PGR combinations

Effect of irrigation on the recovery of young argan plants after transplanting to the field

This work is part of the research program supporting the '' Arganier Project ''. It is coordinated by the Agrotechnologies Association of Souss Massa Draa (Agrotech) in partnership with a consortium of researchers on the argan tree. The purpose of this work is to determine the favorable doses and frequencies of irrigation for a better recovery of argan plants after transplantation on three sites belonging to different agroclimatic zones; Taksbite on an ocean climate plateau, Anzad on a mountain foothill with continental climate and Tinzert with geography and mountain climate. The results of this work showed that the dose of 16 L / plant and the frequency of one month are recommended on the Taksbite site. However, on the Anzad site, these results demonstrated that the dose of 36 L / plant and both frequencies; 1 and 2 months are recommended. Similarly, the dose of 35 L / plant and the frequency of 2 months were more efficient at the Tinzert site. Finally, this experiment revealed the existence of a great heterogeneity within this population mainly due to its great genetic diversity and its adaptation with the agroclimatic conditions of each plantation site

The Deterioration of Morocco’s Vegetable Crop Genetic Diversity: An Analysis of the Souss-Massa Region

Crop domestication and breeding efforts during the last half-century in developed countries has significantly reduced the genetic diversity in all major vegetable crops grown throughout the world. This includes developing countries such as Morocco, in which more than 90% of all farms are less than 10 ha in size, which are generally maintained by subsistence farmers who try to maximize crop and animal productivity on a limited land area. Near Agadir, in the remote Anti-Atlas mountain areas of the Souss-Massa region, many small landowner vegetable growers are known to still utilize crop populations (landraces). Thus, an assessment of the current status of vegetable landraces was made in this mountainous region of Southwestern Morocco during 2014. This assessment indicated that a significant loss of vegetable crop landraces has occurred in the last 30 years in this region of Morocco. Although many vegetable crops are still maintained as landrace populations by small subsistence farmers in remote areas in the Souss-Massa region, only 31% of these farmers cultivated landraces and saved seed in the villages assessed, with the average farmer age cultivating landraces being 52 years old. Moreover, the approximated loss of vegetable crop landraces over the last 30 years was an astounding 80 to 90%. Vegetable crops notably lost during this time period included carrot (Daucus carota), fava beans (Vicia faba), melon (Cucumis melo), pea (Pisum sativum), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicon). The most significant loss was tomato as no landraces of this crop were found in this region. The vegetable crop landraces that are still widely grown included carrot, melon, onion (Allium cepa), turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa), and watermelon, while limited amounts of eggplant (Solanum melongea), fava bean, pea, pepper (Capsicum annuum), and pumpkin (Cucurbita moshata and C. maxima) were found. This recent genetic deterioration will have a profound influence on future Moroccan agricultural productivity, as the genetic diversity within these landraces may be the only resource available to allow these smaller subsistence farmers to cope with changing environmental conditions for the optimization of crop production in their harsh climate