Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Improve Seeds Germination and Growth of .

is among the most important species of the Moroccan forest in terms of ecological, environmental, and socio-economic aspects. However, it faces a delicate balance between regeneration and degradation in its natural habitat. Hence, the efforts to preserve and regenerate argan forests are crucial for biodiversity, soil quality, and local livelihoods, yet they face challenges like overgrazing and climate change.

Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops.

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics aims to overcome barriers to capacity building through its distributed African regional workshops and prioritizes the exchange of grassroots knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across the 5 African geographical regions. These regional workshops trained 408 African scientists in hands-on molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics techniques as well as the ethical, legal and social issues associated with acquiring genetic resources.

Genomic Insights Into Enterococcus mundtii 203: A Promising Probiotic Candidate Isolated From Camel Feces.

Enterococcus, a common commensal organism in the human gut, exhibits a dual nature with certain strains offering probiotic benefits, while others are associated with nosocomial infections. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive examination of the genome of Enterococcus mundtii strain 203 to assess its probiotic potential and safety profile. The complete genome sequencing, assembly, and annotation were performed, followed by bioinformatics analysis.

Metabolic Mechanisms Underlying Heat and Drought Tolerance in Lentil Accessions: Implications for Stress Tolerance Breeding.

Climate change has significantly exacerbated the effects of abiotic stresses, particularly high temperatures and drought stresses. This study aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying heat and drought tolerance in lentil accessions. To achieve this objective, twelve accessions were subjected to high-temperature stress (32/20 °C), while seven accessions underwent assessment under drought stress conditions (50% of field capacity) during the reproductive stage.

Chromosome-scale assembly uncovers genomic compartmentation of f. sp. , the causal agent of Bayoud disease in date palm.

Date palm () is the most significant crop across North Africa and the Middle East. However, the crop faces a severe threat from Bayoud disease caused by the fungal pathogen f. sp.

Large Field Screening for Resistance to Broomrape ( Forsk.) in a Global Lentil Diversity Panel (GLDP) ( Medik.).

Broomrape ( Forsk.) is a serious problem causing important losses to lentil ( Medik.) production and productivity in Mediterranean countries.

Genetic diversity of Moroccan date palm revealed by microsatellite markers.

The genetic diversity between 23 Moroccan date palm cultivars collected from the National Palm Collection at the INRA (National Agricultural Research Institute) experimental field in Zagora was assessed using SSR markers that are specifically designed for date palm. Among the 16 tested SSR, 13 were successfully amplified, and were selected to carry out this study. 208 bands were amplified, ranging from 10 to 25 bands per cultivar with an average of 16 alleles per cultivar.

: A Bibliometric Analysis of a Noxious Parasitic Plant.

is a parasitic weed representing a serious constraint to crop production in the Mediterranean basin. Here, we aim to evaluate the global scientific research status and trends of through a bibliometric analysis to identify prominent research themes, development trends, and major contributors in terms of authors, institutions, countries, and journals. In the span of 53 years, from 1968 to 2021, 274 articles related to this field were retrieved from Scopus database and were analyzed using VOSviewer and BiblioShiny software.

Indispensable Amino Acid Digestibility of Moroccan Fava Bean Using the Dual Isotope Method in Healthy Adults.

Background: Assessment of protein quality is necessary to satisfy the nutritional needs of populations across the world. In addition to indispensable amino acid (IAAs) composition, protein digestibility is a major component of IAA bioavailability, playing a crucial role in human health and affecting the linear growth of children.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate IAA digestibility of fava beans, a legume widely consumed in Morocco using the dual-tracer method.

BuscoPhylo: a webserver for Busco-based phylogenomic analysis for non-specialists.

Here we present the BuscoPhylo tool that enables both students and established scientists to easily perform Busco-based phylogenomic analysis starting from a set of genomes sequences. BuscoPhylo is an efficient and user-friendly web server freely accessible at https://buscophylo.inra.

Antagonistic potential of Moroccan entomopathogenic nematodes against root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne javanica on tomato under greenhouse conditions.

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica is a devastating pest affecting tomato production worldwide. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are considered very promising biocontrol agents that could be used to effectively manage plant-parasitic nematode. The antagonistic activity of five EPN strains isolated from different fields in Morocco was evaluated against juvenile (J2s) antagonism in soil, the number of egg masses, and the galling index of M.

High-Temperature and Drought Stress Effects on Growth, Yield and Nutritional Quality with Transpiration Response to Vapor Pressure Deficit in Lentil.

High temperature and water deficit are among the major limitations reducing lentil ( Medik.) yield in many growing regions. In addition, increasing atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) due to global warming causes a severe challenge by influencing the water balance of the plants, thus also affecting growth and yield.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Moroccan Isolates Belong to spp. Causing Black Rot and Brown Spot in Citrus.

is one of the most important fungi causing various diseases on citrus worldwide. In Morocco, Alternaria black rot (ABR) and Alternaria brown spot (ABS) are two major diseases causing serious losses in commercial cultivars of citrus. The aim of the present work was to study the genetic diversity and the population structure of isolates belonging to sect.

Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogeny of the causal agent of Bayoud disease on date palm, f. sp. .

The complete mitogenome of f. sp. (FOA), the causal agent of the destructive fusarium wilt in date palm, is sequenced and assembled.

Chlorophyll content and fluorescence as physiological parameters for monitoring Orobanche foetida Poir. infection in faba bean.

Orobanche spp. are root parasitic plants that cause yield losses in faba bean (Vicia faba L.).

Effects of Salicylic Acid and Indole Acetic Acid Exogenous Applications on Induction of Faba Bean Resistance against .

The parasitic weed, , is one of the most devastating constraint for faba bean production in Mediterranean regions. Plant host defense induction was reported as one of the most appropriate control methods in many crops. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) and indole acetic acid (IAA) on the induction of faba bean resistance to under the field and controlled experimental conditions.

Complete Chloroplast Genome of : Structural Organization and Phylogenetic Relationships in Sapotaceae.

(Sapotaceae), an important endemic Moroccan oil tree, is a primary source of argan oil, which has numerous dietary and medicinal proprieties. The plant species occupies the mid-western part of Morocco and provides great environmental and socioeconomic benefits. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of was sequenced, assembled, and analyzed in comparison with those of two Sapotaceae members.

Draft Genome Sequence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Strain Foa 133, the Causal Agent of Bayoud Disease on Date Palm.

f. sp. is the causal agent of vascular wilt of date palm.

Draft Genome Sequence of Biological N-Fixing Bacterium Rhizobium tropici A12, Isolated from Root Nodule of Tropical Soybean (Glycine max), TGx-1148 Variety.

Here, we present the genome sequence and annotated features of strain A12, which is able to nodulate tropical (soybean). The draft genome of the strain consists of 107 contigs totaling 6.5 Mbp in size.

Complete genome analysis and time scale evolution of very virulent infectious bursal disease viruses isolated from recent outbreaks in Morocco.

Emerging of very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) genotype in poultry flocks in Morocco were characterized. VP2 sequence analysis showed that the strains of Moroccan vvIBDV genotypes clustered separately from classic and vaccine strains reference of IBDV. The full-length genome of four Moroccan vvIBDV strains was determined, in order to get a more exhaustive molecular characterization allowing to conduct the evolution time scale and speculations on their origin.

Characterization of genetic diversity and population structure of Moroccan lentil cultivars and landraces using molecular markers.

Knowledge of genetic diversity and population structure is a crucial step for an efficient use of available material in a plant breeding program and for germplasm conservation strategies. Current study undertakes an assessment of the genetic variations and population structure of Moroccan lentil including nine landraces and eight released varieties using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) markers. Results revealed that the two markers used have a good efficiency to assess genetic diversity in lentil.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of very virulent infectious bursal disease virus circulating in Morocco during 2016-2017.

Very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV), the cause of significant economic losses in many poultry-producing areas, has been present in Morocco since 1991. In spite of the introduction of vaccination, disease outbreaks are frequently observed. To ascertain if vaccines failure may be due to the emergence of new strains, the aim of this study was to perform for the first time the molecular characterization of vvIBDV strains circulating in Morocco by focusing on the hypervariable region (HVR) of the VP2 protein, which is frequently used for molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic studies.

First draft genome assembly of the Argane tree ( ).

The Argane tree ( L. Skeels) is an endemic tree of mid-western Morocco that plays an important socioeconomic and ecologic role for a dense human population in an arid zone. Several studies confirmed the importance of this species as a food and feed source and as a resource for both pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds.