Flag Leaf Tolerance Study in Moroccan Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Varieties Submitted to a Severe Salt Stress

Salt stress is the most significant abiotic stress that can severely limit crop growth and productivity. This problem gets worse in the context of climate change. The Knowledge of genetic pool behavior under such environmental constraints is imperative for growing and research. Here, we tested salt stress tolerance in six barley varieties (‘Amira’, ‘Oussama’, ‘Tamellalet’, ‘Adrar’, ‘Taffa’, and ‘Laanaceur’). To this end, a set of biochemical parameters (chlorophylls, proline, sodium, potassium levels and K+/Na+ ratio) were measured. Salt constraint significantly reduced chlorophyll content and K+/Na+ but resulted in high records of proline and Na+. Our outcomes show that treatment was the main variability since it explained more than 75% in data variability followed by variety effect. Wide variabilities were found among varieties for the measured parameters. Higher proline levels and K+/Na+ were found in ‘Adrar’, ‘Tamellalet’ and ‘Taffa’. These two later varieties also displayed a higher record of K+. Lower Na+ values were recorded in ‘Laanaceur’, ‘Taffa’, and ‘Tamellalet’, indicating their relative resistance against salt stress. In contrast, ‘Oussama’ and ‘Amira’ were relatively salt-sensitive due to their higher Na+ and lowered K+/Na+ and proline content. Resistant varieties could represent a good background for breeding for barley salt tolerance.

Influence of Water Regime and Fertilization on the Vegetative Parameters of Two Varieties of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, Malvacea) in the Daloa Region, Côte d’Ivoire

This study aims to evaluate the effect of water stress and organo-mineral fertilization on the morphological parameters of two varieties of okra. The treatments used (fertilizers) are: T0 (controls without amendment), T1 (4 kg chicken manure), T2 (4 kg sawdust, T3 (1 kg NPK 15-15-13 fertilizer). Three (3) types of water regimes were applied, R3 (watering 3 times per week), R5 (watering 5 times per week), and R7 (watering 7 times per week). The results obtained in terms of fertilizers applied to the soil did not show any significant influence on plant growth (p> 0.05). As for the other results, they showed that 100% of the parameters studied were influenced by the variety effect, while 33% were influenced by the watering frequency effect. Four parameters were influenced by the interaction between variety and frequency of watering, which shows that the variety used and frequency of watering play an important role in okra production. Both the organic and mineral fertilizers applied to the soil showed no significant effect on the measured parameters, which could be as a result of non-decomposition of organic matter and insufficiency in the amount of mineral fertilizers required to supply the plant needs.

Assessment of biological and agronomic diversity of seven durum wheat varieties cultivated in the Northeastern region of Algeria

Boudersa N, Chaib G, Atoui A, Cherfia R, Bouderbane H, Boudour L. 2021. Assessment of biological and agronomic diversity of seven durum wheat varieties cultivated in the Northeastern region of Algeria. Biodiversitas 22: 1025-1036. The present work was carried out during the 2017/2018 agricultural season, at the experimental station of the ‘Institut Technique des Grandes Cultures’ (ITGC) – El Khroub, Constantine, Algeria. The main objective of this study was the evaluation and the characterization of seven varieties of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) in terms of their behavior and yield. For these reasons, several phenological, morpho-physiological, and biochemical traits, as well as the yield with its components were studied. The obtained results showed a significant variety effect, in particular, for the variables corresponding to the production and to the tolerance. The analysis of the correlation coefficients indicated that the number of spikes per m2, the number of grains spike-1, and the rate of chlorophyll pigments in the leaves were the most related characteristics to grain yield. Indirect selection for breeding productivity through these traits could prove to be effective. Besides, it revealed that tall varieties displayed better resistance to possible hazards; had high relative water content (RWC), accumulated more soluble sugars and proline, as well as, they showed a low level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to other varieties. In addition, this study allowed us to determine many relationships between the studied parameters, that can make a contribution in both the productivity and the adaptation improvement programs of the durum wheat.

Bunch Microclimate Affects Carotenoids Evolution in cv. Nebbiolo (V. vinifera L.)

This study investigates the impact of bunch microclimate on the evolution of some relevant carotenoids in Nebbiolo grapes. Four bunch-zone microclimates, defined by different vineyard aspect and vine vigor, were characterized by radiation and temperature indices. Berry samples were collected from green phase up to harvest, during two consecutive seasons and carotenoid determination was assessed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). High carotenoid concentrations were highlighted in Nebbiolo. Lutein and neoxanthin contents (μg berry−1) varied similarly in both seasons achieving a concentration peak after veraison especially in the cooler plots while a variety effect on the lutein seasonal trend was presumed. Conversely, β-carotene content remained generally constant during ripening, with the exception of the south plots showing dissimilar evolution between the seasons. Furthermore, higher temperature in the less vigorous and south facing vineyards led to lower amounts of carotenoids, both during ripening and at harvest. Bunch zone temperature and light condition may affect both synthesis and degradation of grape carotenoids determining their amount and profile at harvest. These findings add further knowledge about the influence of climate changes on grape aroma precursors, and are useful to adapt cultural strategies and preserve grape quality consequently.

Effect of different spawn seed on growth and varieties of the oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.)

The effect of different spawn seed on different variety show significant effect on mycelia running rate of oyster mushroom that reduced the required days to complete mycelium running in the spawn packet compared to the sawdust alone. Effect of different spawn seed on different variety found to be significant in yield contributing characters and yield of oyster mushroom with some extent. The highest biological yield, economic yield, dry yield, biological efficiency (BE) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) 264.9g, 259.3g, 25.17g, 86.90, 9.11% respectively was observed in maize based spawn seed on the Pleurotus florida variety. Effect of different spawn seed on different variety has a profound effect on chemical composition of oyster mushroom. Considering all the parameters in this experiment, maize based spawn seed on the Pleurotus florida variety is found promising for lowering the cost of production as well as increasing the yield and quality of fruiting body. Wheat based spawn seed on the Pleuorotus ostreatus variety may be the fair choice. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 181-192, August 2019

Yield and Quality of Essential Oils in Hemp Varieties in Different Environments

Due to its possible utilization in cosmetics, medicine and crop protection, as a valuable alternative to petrochemical-derived products, hemp essential oil is now considered a product with high value added and a promising marketing potential. This experiment was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of four different locations of Northern Italy during two years (four environments) and three hemp monoecious varieties on the production and quality of essential oils (EOs) obtained by inflorescences harvested at full flowering of female flowers. The highest inflorescence yield was obtained at Maiano 2017, where a superficial groundwater layer (1.5 m) was present, with values that ranged from 1.69 of Fedora to 2.06 t ha−1 of Futura. EOs production ranged between 3.4 and 4.9 L ha−1, affected mainly by the variety effect. The terpene in EOs, very similar between varieties and environments, was mainly composed of sesquiterpenes (caryophillene and humulene, as the most abundant) rather than monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-myrcene and trans-β-ocimene, in particular). Phytocannabinoids, and in particular cannabidiol (CBD), were not removed from tissues by the steam during hydrodistillation, and if this is confirmed by further experiments, the residual biomass, now considered as waste, could assume significant importance as a source for further utilization.