Anthracnose disease is compromising citrus production in the Mediterranean area including Tunisia. Aromatic plants are a source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial applications. Thus, this study aims to identify and characterize the growth and aggressiveness of fungal strains isolated from the most cultivated Citrus species in the Cap Bon region in Tunisia, as well as the antifungal properties of eleven essential oils against this disease. Twenty fungal strains were isolated from leaves and fruit of five citrus species showing anthracnose spots were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides based on ITS and CAL gene sequences. The strains exhibited different colony morphologies and growth kinetic in culture on SNA and PDA media, with abundant conidia production on SNA medium. The pathogenicity tests on lemon leaves and fruit showed different degrees of aggressiveness depending on the strain and plant organ, with no significant correlation between the aggressiveness of the fungal strains on leaves and fruit. Thyme essential oil showed the lowest minimal concentration that reduce C. gloeosporioides growth by 50
This study addresses the potential of combining phosphorus biostimulation and phytoremediation as a sustainable strategy for wastewater treatment. Various physico-chemical analyses and microbiological parameters were assessed in different treatments: biostimulation, phytoremediation, and a combined method. These assessments were conducted for both treated (STWW) and untreated wastewater (SWW) categories. The alfalfa plots were then irrigated with the treated wastewater (TWW), followed by enzymatic activity analyses, microbiology, physico-chemical properties, and plant growth. The results show that the selected strain, identified as Aspergillus flavus OQ269829, increased the assimilable phosphorus content of the SWW, raising it to about 3.25 mg/L in the irrigated soil. The TWW presents a neutral pH of less than 8 and a chemical oxygen demand value below 120 mg O-2.L-1, together with an increased phosphorus transformation. Dehydrogenase activity in soil irrigated with STWW supplemented with fungi and phosphorus rose from 4.5 to 10.5-mu g TPF g(-1)h(-1) by the end of the incubation period. The plant exhibited significant growth and earlier flowering. Concurrent with this, there was an increase in plant nutrient content when irrigated with a combined application of K+ and Na+, ranging from 104.36 to 189.59 mgg(-1) dry weight for K+ and 15.3-29.9 mg.g(-1) dry weight for Na+.
North Africa has a wide range of great diversity of indigenous sheep breeds whose origin is linked to its environmental characteristics but also to certain historical events that took place in the region. Knowledge of population structure and identification of genomic regions that have been targets of selection are key steps for genetic resource conservation and breeding strategies designing. This work explores the population structure of two Tunisian and four Algerian sheep breeds and identifies genomic regions under selection in four of them. Leveraging high-throughput genomic data from Illumina Ovine SNP50K array from 59 animals belonging to the six breeds, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to unravel their population structure. Our results indicate a clear genomic admixture between the fat-tailed Tunisian and Algerian Barbarine with thin-tailed breeds raised in each of the two countries. Additionally, through the detection of genomic regions under selection and candidate gene identification, we provide insights into some putative genetic mechanisms that would have contributed to the adaptation and evolution of these breeds in response to local environmental pressures. We also highlight several genes related to economical traits. This study provides valuable information for the conservation and sustainable management of the studied Tunisian and Algerian sheep breeds and offers opportunities for future breeding and genomic improvement programs.
This study investigates the influence of geographical location on the distribution of terrestrial isopods in nine oases in the south of Tunisia. The oases were categorized as coastal, mountain, and Saharan. Quadrat sampling was conducted with five replicates in each oasis between summer 2020 and spring 2022 to determine species richness, mean densities, dominance, and diversity indices. Physico-chemical parameters, such as temperature, humidity, pH Kcl , organic matter, and conductivity, were measured. Three families of isopods were collected, with Porcellionidae being the dominant family. The study found that air humidity and organic matter influenced the distribution of some species, while altitude, temperature, and pH Kcl influenced others. Species richness weakly correlated with the area of the oases, and regional species richness followed an east-west gradient, with coastal oases having the highest species richness and Saharan oases having the least. The ancient oasis of Kebili (Saharan) was the most diversified, while Kettana (littoral) was the least. The Gabes oasis (littoral) had the most balanced population compared to Richet Ennaam (Saharan oasis). The study revealed the presence of a dominant species in each oasis and found differences in species dominance among the three categories of oases.
The Libyan Marj Province, part of the Libyan coastal plain, is known for its diverse habitats and a source for food for a variety of wildlife species.Given the nature of the vital environment in Libya, it was found that the most obvious aspect is that most of the country's area falls within a desert climate.The most important feature of the Libyan desert is the oases in which the water level is close to the surface.The most important element in particular is the presence and abundance of bird species in the wild fauna.In this research, many species of mammals, birds and reptiles were observed.The objectives of the article were to explain the soil resources available in Libya in relation to the environmental and social assessment framework; provide examples of how Libyan soil databases can be used for environmental and social applications (for example, providing a healthy eating plate).It described some typical services in the country.The most important challenges (handicaps) facing agriculture and future growth in Libya are desertification, salinization, and limited freshwater resources.The most important types of soil and plants spread in these areas under study were monitored, as well as the wild animals that live in these areas.We have attached some pictures of these plants and animals.An amazing plant diversity appeared in the study area from one season to another and from one region to another within the study area, which negatively affected this diversity.It was directly affected by the surrounding environment and began to disappear in parts of the study area, as this study showed.There were many reasons for this disappearance, including natural and human causes, the main reason of which was the lack of environmental awareness among citizens and the absence of the role of the state and judicial legislation in limiting these dangerous violations.
