Nikhil MEHTA, Priyanka RAO, Raman SAINI
Abstract. Daincha (Sesbania aculeata) is an multipurpose significant leguminous crop that possesses many medicinal properties, used industrially and as food in some parts of the world. There are many attributes of the crop that needs to be improved via genetic engineering. The present work involves standardisation of various factors (type of medium and concentration of cytokinin, auxins and gibberellic acid, presence of thiol compounds, wounding stress and exposure to vacuum) affecting shoot organogenesis from shoot apex explants and optimization of the selective concentration of kanamycin for the first time. The 2-dayold shoot apex explants were cultured on medium containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium salts and Gamborg (B5) medium vitamins accompanied with 1 µM 6-benzylaminopurine and 656.8 µM thiourea and formed multiple shoots (6-7) with frequency of regeneration (100 %) under a period of 4 weeks. The selective concentration of kanamycin was found to be 171.6 μM for shoot organogenesis and 17.2 µM for root organogenesis. Compatibility of the regeneration system towards genetic transformation facilitated by Agrobacterium was assessed via β-glucuronidase assay in shoot apices and regenerated transformed plants, respectively. Transgene insertion in plants was also checked by polymerase chain reaction analysis and obtained 15% efficiency of transformation.
Key words: Agrobacterium; kanamycin; regeneration; shoot apex; thiol compounds; wounding stress.
Valentin KOSEV, Viliana VASILEVA
Abstract. In a three-year field experiment conducted at the Institute of Forage Crops - Pleven (2016-2018) the adaptive potential of winter pea genotypes for green mass and grain yield was assessed. Five hybrid lines of winter peas with a different morphology of the compound leaf: No.12, No.13, No.14 - ordinary type (“AFAF-TLTL-STST”); No.6 - afila type (semi-leafless - "afaf-TLTL ST-ST"); No.9 - double recessive type "pleiofila" (tendril acacia) and variety Mir (control) were the subject of the study. The morphotype was found to affect the adaptive potential of genotypes. The greatest adaptability was found for genotypes with ordinary leaf type, followed by the double-recessive type of pleiophile. In terms of green mass yield, lines No.9 and No.13 were characterized by high general adaptive response (110%, 107%), high genetic flexibility (17.36, 17.76) and potential productivity (2007 kg/ha, 2059 kg/ha). The lines No.14 (195 kg/da), No.6 (195 kg/da) and No.12A (174 kg/da) have high grain productivity, coefficient of adaptability over 100%, high genetic flexibility (1.86, 1.65 and 1.65) and a high grain index (0.91, 0.62 and 0.85), which characterizes them as promising in the direction of grain production. The study aimed at to analyze winter forage pea lines to create new genotypes with increased adaptive potential in terms of green mass and grain yield.
Key words: pea; yield; genetical flexibility.
Nadhra BOUKROUMA, Moundji TOUARFIA, Loubna DERABLIA, Sara TOUAHRIA
Abstract. The influence of vegetation height and cover on breeding ecology of Yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) nesting in the Islands of Oued Charef dam, northeastern Algeria, was investigated. The effects of habitat characteristics (vegetation height, cover) and nest features on breeding parameters (nests and eggs characteristics, clutch size and nesting success) of 40 nests recorded on the center of island were analyzed using Pearson correlation test. The present nesting distribution of the Yellow-legged gull in the small island of Oued Charef dam indicate an influence of vegetation height and cover on clutch size and chick productivity (chick survived and hatching). Egg-laying started in early January and continued to early June. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that increasing egg laying day was positively correlated with number of active nests. Hatching success was relatively lower compared with studies carried out in northeastern Algeria and an average of 1.5 chicks survived to 20 days. Clutch size averaged 3.9 ± 0.3 (195 eggs), (range: 1-4 eggs) with 79.2% hatching success. Our results provide new insights into some of the habitat parameters that affect the nest selection and breeding success of the target species.
Key words: Yellow-legged gull; vegetation height and cover; breeding ecology; Pearson correlation; Oued Charef dam.
Ludmila RUDI, Tatiana CHIRIAC, Liliana CEPOI, Vera MISCU, Inga ZINICOVSCAIA, Ana VALUTA, Valeriu RUDIC
Abstract. The current study aimed to investigate the influence of growth phase on the response of cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis to the presence of Au and Ag nanoparticles stabilized with polyethylene glycol in the culture medium. Nanoparticles of gold and silver in the applied concentrations altered the accumulation of spirulina biomass, regardless of the physiological growth phase of the culture to which they were added. Changes in the content of pigments in spirulina biomass indicated the presence of harmful effects on cyanobacterial strain. Gold nanoparticles, for instance, significantly reduced the amount of phycobiliproteins in spirulina biomass, and the inhibitory effect was more pronounced when adding nanoparticles in the lag phase of the cultivation cycle. Changes in the content of chlorophyll a and β-carotene occurred by approximately the same principle, while more pronounced effects were observed under the action of gold nanoparticles. Adding nanoparticles in the exponential growth phase showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect in the case of chlorophyll. The amount of biomass accumulated during the cultivation cycle cannot be considered a sufficient parameter when assessing the possible toxic effects of nanoparticles, and biochemical tests are necessary to detect various deviations from the normal physiological state of spirulina culture.
Key words: Arthrospira platensis; gold and silver nanoparticles; growth phases; biomass production; pigment content.
Mohamed Ayoub RAHAL, Mahdia SAIDI-TOUATI, Amina ZIDANE, Magdy Farouk EL-SAMAHY
Abstract. Nanotechnology is a new trend opening up many opportunities in several fields such as agriculture and medicine. In the context of pest control and evaluation of the effect of nanomaterial on orthopteran pests, a study on the impact of silica nanoparticles on third instar larvae and adults of Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: acrididae) was undertaken. Indeed, different concentration of nanomaterials was used in order to investigate the impact of this substance. On the other hand, neuro-intoxication symptoms were observed following ingestion of the grass sprayed with Silica nanoparticles; hyperexcitability separated by moments of immobility, movement disorders and intense defecation, testifying to the entomotoxic action of silica nanoparticles on the Migratory Locust. The mortality rate of treated locusts with the highest dose reached 100% after 11 days for L3 larvae and 21 days for adults. The evaluation of lethal times 50 (LT50) for this nanomaterial showed the speed action of this substance , which is 5.35 days for L3 larvae and 11.09 days in adult case for a maximum concentration of 5 mg /100 mL.
Key words: Orthoptera pest; Locusta migratoria; silica nanoparticles; lethal time; mortality.
Yasmina SEMIANI, Sabrina OUMATA, Abdelkader BENBELKACEM, Mohammed SEMIANI
Abstract. This work aimed to test differentiation among genotypes and search markers that present a detectable polymorphism within 17 genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) selected in Algeria by the use of SSRs. All of the primer pairs for SSRs markers revealed a total of 88 alleles for all the genotypes, the size varied from 100 to 345 bp, with a number of alleles per microsatellite primers varied between 3 to 10 with an average of 7.16 alleles / locus. Two main groups were identified, group 1: is composed of 5 sub-groups, the first sub-group is composed of TAR and ALTA genotypes, the second is composed only of MIN/COM/DUC genotype, the third sub-group is composed only of SORA genotype, the fourth sub-group is composed of LDN7 and SIG genotypes, as for the fifth sub-group, it is composed only of VT genotype. Group 2: is composed of 7 sub-groups; the first one is composed only of the BM genotype, the second is also composed only of the SH-3 genotype, the third is also composed of a single PLATA genotype. The fourth subgroup is composed of the LLAR and MIN/PLA genotypes, for the fifth group, it is composed only of BCR genotype, the sixth group is composed of two genotypes WH and MIN/COM, the last group is composed of CND and LD357. We note a large differentiation between the genotypes which could be explained by the genetic of wheat (polyploidy) has a very important role in the evolution of plants and creation of large genetic diversty. The relationships between pedigrees and estimates of genetic similarity are not all significant. Genetic distances can be explained by selection pressure and also the parental of ancestors with no known pedigree.
Key words: Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.); diversity; polymorphism; microsatellites; alleles.
Chahinez MEZZI OU MELZI, Lilya BOUCELHA, Ouzna ABROUS-BELBACHIR, Réda DJEBBAR
Abstract: Seed treatment is often used for improving germination performance, growth parameters and tolerance to abiotic stresses. Thus, the seeds can undergo chemical pretreatments by imbibition in the presence of certain molecules such as sodium nitroprusside (nitrogen monoxide donor) and calcium chloride (Ca2+ being involved in signaling). Hydropriming is a pregermination treatment which helps in stopping imbibition before the end of the reversible phase of germination, i.e before the start of the lengthening of the radicle. Our results showed an improvement in the germination performance and growth of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-greacum L.) seedlings when treated in the same manner. These improvements were accompanied by the formation of reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide). Measurements of the antioxidative activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase showed strong stimulation in the radicles of pre-treated or hydroprimed seeds. This activity was stronger in hydroprimed seeds compared to the control and chemical treatment. Thus the improvement in germination performance and growth seems to be linked to the oxidative stress observed during germination.
Key words: Trigonella foenum-greacum; seed priming; germination; pretreatment; sodium nitroprusside, calcium chloride.
Amina SOLTANI, Boumediane MEDDAH
Abstract: The development and use of traditional herbal medicine have a very long historical background that corresponds to the Stone Age. It has made a great contribution to the treatment of disease and also to the development of general health and well- being, in the prevention of many infectious diseases. The chemical composition of Marrubium vulgare oils and their antimicrobial properties were determined in this work. The principal oil obtained by hydrodistillation was investigated using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry CG/MS to determine their chemical composition. Other parameters are also measured, such as refractive index, optical rotation, density, polarimetric deviation, freezing point and solubility in ethanol. The minimal inhibitory concentrations were investigated using disc diffusion and microdilution assays to characterize the antimicrobial activities of this essential oil. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against the yeast Candida albicans and against 5 bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For chemical composition, 41 components have been determined. Results showed that major components in M. vulgare essential oil were β-Bisabolene (16.50%), followed by ß-Caryophylene (13.1%), α-Humulene (9.2%), E-β-Farnesene (6.4%), germacrene (5.95%). For microbiological activity, Marrubium vulgare essential oil has a potent antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogenic microorganisms including, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans showed the highest and broadest activity. Finally, based on our results; Marrubium vulgare essential oil could be used as alternative and or therapeutic agent in treatments of such pathogens.
Key words: Antimicrobial activity; Essential oil composition; Marrubium vulgare; Mascara.
Lamia ALI, Nour El Islam BACHARI
Abstract. The analysis of satellite images allowed us to define the variation of marine chlorophyll (Chl-α) combined with Sea Surface Temperature (SST) variation along the Algerian coast. The database was downloaded daily from the MODIS Aqua satellite between 2008 and 2018 and classified by month. Processing of the satellite images showed significant thermal variations between the West, Centre, and East of the coast, accompanied by local fluctuations in chlorophyll variation. The correlative study between the Spatio-temporal variations of SST and Chl-α indicates a strong negative correlation at the temporal scale (r=-0.92) and a weak negative correlation at the spatial scale (r=-0.39). These results indicated that Chl-α was influenced by seasonal changes in SST and marine hydrodynamics and local anthropogenic inputs. Furthermore, the principal component analysis (PCA) between the Spatiotemporal variations of SST and Chl-α allowed us to classify the Algerian coast into two sub-basins: the southwestern (S.E.) Alboran sub-basin and the Algerian sub-basin, as well as a central transitional zone between the two sub-basins. The study showed that satellite images could determine the Spatio-temporal relationship between SST and Chl-α variations and understand marine ecosystems' functioning.
Key words: SST; Chl-α; correlation; SE Alboran sub-basin; Algerian sub-basin.
SPENT GREEN TEA EXTRACT BASED FUNGAL GROWTH MEDIA DEVELOPMENT
Chan-Basha MOHINUDEEN, Abitha BENSON, Allen John HENRY, Manoharan Melvin JOE,
Abstract. We devised a media from Spent Green Tea Extract (SGTE) and tested its proficiency using two yeast strains; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231, and two filamentous fungal strains Aspergillus brasilensis ATCC 16404 and Penicillium chrysogenum MTCC 5108. No morphological and microscopic differences were observed in SGTE agar medium, when compared with Pottato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media. The absorbance for cell densities in SGTE broth was found to similar in comparison to PDA. Crude SGTE was evaluated for its Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and a concentration of 1 mg/mL was found to be effective for Bacillus sp. PVMX4 and a concentration of 7 mg/mL was effective for E. coli ATCC 8739. Bactericidal assay of SGTEA revealed that the medium selectively supported the growth of fungi, wherein PDA failed to inhibit the growth of heterotrophic bacteria from soil samples.
Key words: Spent green tea extract; fungal growth media; caffeine; MIC; PDA.