Mineral accumulation, relative water content and gas exchange are the main physiological regulating mechanisms to cope with salt stress in barley.

Salinity has become a major environmental concern for agricultural lands, leading to decreased crop yields. Hence, plant biology experts aim to genetically improve barley's adaptation to salinity stress by deeply studying the effects of salt stress and the responses of barley to this stress. In this context, our study aims to explore the variation in physiological and biochemical responses of five Tunisian spring barley genotypes to salt stress during the heading phase.

Establishment of optimized in vitro disinfection protocol of Pistacia vera L. explants mediated a computational approach: multilayer perceptron-multi-objective genetic algorithm.

Background: Contamination-free culture is a prerequisite for the success of in vitro - based plant biotechnology. Aseptic initiation is an extremely strenuous stride, particularly in woody species. Meanwhile, over-sterilization is potentially detrimental to plant tissue.

Hydrotime analysis to explore the effect of HO-priming in the relationship between water potential (Ψ) and germination rate of Capsicum annuum L. seed under NaCl- and PEG-induced stress.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) priming was proved to be effective to boost salt and drought stress tolerance in Capsicum annuum L. Hither, hydrotime (HT) approach, a population-based threshold model-germination dependence on water availability, was introduced to account for the effects of reduced water potential on HO-primed seeds in progress toward germination. Pre-optimized HO concentrations (1 and 10 mM for 24 h at 25 °C) were applied.

Assessment of genetic diversity of thirty Tunisian fig (Ficus carica L.) accessions using pomological traits and SSR markers.

Sixteen pomological traits were employed to characterize the diversity of 30 fig accessions collected mainly from Southeastern Tunisia and maintained at CFPA 'El Gordhab', Tataouine, in Southeastern Tunisia. Additionally, 13 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were analyzed to detect the genetic diversity of the 30 fig accessions. In this study, qualitative data (fruit shape, fruit external color, fruit internal color, abscission of the stalk from the twig, skin peeling, fruit skin firmness) showed morphological variation within accessions.

Anaerobic digestion of waste Tunisian date ( L.): effect of biochemical composition of pulp and seeds from six varieties.

Large amounts of secondary date waste (pulp and seeds) are produced and discarded in Tunisia without proper valorisation methods. To study the possibility of valorising different varieties of Tunisian date waste (pulp and seeds) via anaerobic digestion, batch biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests were carried out under mesophilic temperature. The bio-methane production curves were fitted to the model of modified Gompertz in search of the kinetic parameters.

Untargeted metabolomics reveals changes in phenolic profile following in vitro large intestine fermentation of non-edible parts of Punica granatum L.

In this study, the untargeted phytochemical profile of non-edible parts of pomegranate (i.e., flowers, leaves and peels) was depicted by using untargeted metabolomics.

Spike developmental stages and ABA role in spikelet primordia abortion contribute to the final yield in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

Background: Salinity is a significant environmental stress factor limiting crops productivity. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has a natural tolerance to salinity stress, making it an interesting study object in stress biology research.

Phenolic profiling and antioxidant capacity in flowers, leaves and peels of Tunisian cultivars of L.

The comprehensive phenolic fingerprints of flowers, peels and leaves of two Tunisian L. cultivars, namely Nabli and Gabsi, were investigated. The highest phenolic content was recorded in the Nabli flowers, followed by Gabsi peels extracts (152.

Variable Levels of Tolerance to Water Stress (Drought) and Associated Biochemical Markers in Tunisian Barley Landraces.

Due to its high tolerance to abiotic stress, barley () is cultivated in many arid areas of the world. In the present study, we evaluate the tolerance to water stress (drought) in nine accessions of "Ardhaoui" barley landraces from different regions of Tunisia. The genetic diversity of the accessions is evaluated with six SSR markers.

Water balance and N-metabolism in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) plants depending on nitrogen source under salt stress and elevated CO2.

Elevated [CO2] and salinity in the soils are considered part of the effects of future environmental conditions in arid and semi-arid areas. While it is known that soil salinization decreases plant growth, an increased atmospheric [CO2] may ameliorate the negative effects of salt stress. However, there is a lack of information about the form in which inorganic nitrogen source may influence plant performance under both conditions.

Ceratonia siliqua L. hydroethanolic extract obtained by ultrasonication: antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds profile and effects in yogurts functionalized with their free and microencapsulated forms.

Bioactive extracts were obtained from powdered carob pulp through an ultrasound extraction process and then evaluated in terms of antioxidant activity. Ten minutes of ultrasonication at 375 Hz were the optimal conditions leading to an extract with the highest antioxidant effects. After its chemical characterization, which revealed the preponderance of gallotannins, the extract (free and microencapsulated) was incorporated in yogurts.

An In Vitro Attempt for Controlling Severe Phytopathogens and Human Pathogens Using Essential Oils from Mediterranean Plants of Genus Schinus.

Growing concerns about food safety and environmental protection enhanced the need for new and safe plant disease control strategies. The chemical composition of the three essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves and fruits of Schinus terebinthifolius and leaves of Schinus molle, growing in Tunisia, was studied by GC and GC-MS. In all, 12 compounds were identified.

Analysis of genetic diversity of Tunisian caprifig ( L.) accessions using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers.

Background: The common fig ( L.) is a gynodioecious species with two sexual forms: male trees (caprifigs) with male and female flowers and female trees that produce only female flowers that will result in the edible fig syconium. In this study the genetic diversity of 20 Tunisian accessions of caprifig is analyzed using SSR markers previously developed for this crop.

Health-promoting compounds of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) plants as affected by nitrogen fertilisation in projected future climatic change environments.

Background: The complex interactions between CO2 increase and salinity were investigated in relation to decreased N supply, in order to determine the nutritional quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) plants under these conditions.

Drought stress tolerance in grapevine involves activation of polyamine oxidation contributing to improved immune response and low susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea.

Environmental factors including drought stress may modulate plant immune responses and resistance to pathogens. However, the relationship between mechanisms of drought tolerance and resistance to pathogens remained unknown. In this study, the effects of drought stress on polyamine (PA) homeostasis and immune responses were investigated in two grapevine genotypes differing in their drought tolerance; Chardonnay (CHR), as sensitive and Meski (MSK), as tolerant.

Structural, expression and interaction analysis of rice SKP1-like genes.

The degradation of proteins by the 26S proteasome is initiated by protein polyubiquitination mediated by a three-step cascade. The specific ubiquitination of different target proteins is mediated by different classes of E3 ubiquitin ligases, among which the best known are Skp1-Cullin-F-box complexes. Whereas protists, fungi and some vertebrates have a single SKP1 gene, many animal and plant species possess multiple SKP1 homologues.

Effect of water deficit on the cell wall of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera 'Deglet nour', Arecales) fruit during development.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is an important crop providing a valuable nutrition source for people in many countries including the Middle East and North Africa. In recent years, the amount of rain in North Africa and especially in the Tunisian palm grove areas has dropped significantly. We investigated the growth and cell wall remodelling of fruits harvested at three key development stages from trees grown with or without water supply.

Cytogenetic evidence of mixed disomic and polysomic inheritance in an allotetraploid (AABB) Musa genotype.

Background And Aims: Edible bananas originated mainly from two wild species, Musa acuminata Colla (AA) and Musa balbisiana Colla (BB), and triploid cultivars with an AAA, AAB or ABB genome are the most widely used. In the present study, chromosome pairing affinities are investigated in a sterile AB Indian variety and in its fertile colchicine-induced allotetraploid (AABB) derivative to determine the inheritance pattern of the tetraploid genotype. The potential implications of interspecific recombination and chromosomal composition of diploid gametes for Musa improvement are presented.

Differential responses of two broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var Italica) cultivars to salinity and nutritional quality improvement.

The comparative responses of two broccoli cultivars (Brassica oleracea var. Italica, cv. Parthenon and cv.

Drought effect on growth, gas exchange and yield, in two strains of local barley Ardhaoui, under water deficit conditions in southern Tunisia.

Two local barley strains cv. Ardhaoui originated from Tlalit and Switir, sourthern Tunisia were grown in pots in a glasshouse assay, under well-watered conditions for a month. Plants were then either subjected to water deficit (treatment) or continually well-watered (control).

Dietary fiber from Tunisian common date cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.): chemical composition, functional properties, and antioxidant capacity.

The dietary fibers (DF) of 10 date varieties from Tunisian oases have been investigated. Further knowledge on the content, composition, and technological applications of those fibers could support their genetic variability and promote the socioeconomical development of growing areas. The composition, water- and oil-holding capacities, solubility, and antiradical activity have been determined.

Antioxidant capacities of phenolic compounds and tocopherols from Tunisian pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits.

This article aims to determine the phenolic, tocopherol contents, and antioxidant capacities from fruits (juices, peels, and seed oils) of 6 Tunisian pomegranate ecotypes. Total anthocyanins were determined by a differential pH method. Hydrolyzable tannins were determined with potassium iodate.

Homoeologous chromosome pairing between the A and B genomes of Musa spp. revealed by genomic in situ hybridization.

Background And Aims: Most cooking banana and several desert bananas are interspecific triploid hybrids between Musa acuminata (A genome) and Musa balbisiana (B genome). In addition, M. balbisiana has agronomical characteristics such as resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses that could be useful to improve monospecific acuminata cultivars.

Chemical compounds from Phoenician juniper berries (Juniperus phoenicea).

Natural chemical compounds are a widely researched topic worldwide because of their potential activity against cerebrovascular diseases. Chemicals from Juniperus phoenicea berries are reported in this study. Lipids (11%) from seeds are mainly unsaturated (86%).

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) juices: chemical composition, micronutrient cations, and antioxidant capacity.

Phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannins of pomegranate juices, obtained from 9 Tunisian ecotypes were quantified. Phenolics and flavonoids in the variety Tounsi (TN) (3299 mg gallic acid equivalents [GAE]/L and 636 mg quercetin equivalents [QE]/L of juice, respectively) were higher than in the variety Gabsi (GB) (1570 mg GAE/L and 135 mg QE/L of juice, respectively). The highest anthocyanins quantity was found in GB 2 with 156 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents (CGE)/L.