Study of some resistance mechanisms to Orobanche spp. infestation in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) breeding lines in Tunisia

The behavior of seven faba bean breeding lines toward Orobanche foetida and Orobanche crenata infestation was examined under field, pots, and in vitro conditions and compared to reference cultivars. The breeding lines presented resistance reaction to Orobanche spp. in different experiment conditions. In infested field by O. foetida, the grain yield reduction ranged from 55.7 to 83% for the breeding lines compared to 97% for the susceptible cultivar Badï. Lines L6 and L7 were the less affected by Orobanche parasitism considering severity, number of emerged Orobanche, and yield. In pots, the number of attachments varied from .6 to 3.4 and from 1.4 to 6.4 for the breeding lines against 10.4 and 12.3 for Badï inoculated, respectively, by O. foetida and O. crenata. In Petri dish experiment, Orobanche germination reached the highest rates; 69.9 and 59.7%, respectively, with O. crenata and O. foetida for Badï. For the breeding lines, it ranged from 6.3 to 44.9% for O. crenata and from 4.8 to 40.8% for O. foetida. Moreover, all breeding lines showed low tubercles number and delay in Orobanche attachments as compared to Badï. All breeding lines, except L5, maintained an acceptable level of resistance to Orobanche species manifested by a reduced Orobanche germination rate, low Orobanche number and dry weight, delay of attachments, and higher grain production compared to Badï. L5 seems to be less resistant even it behaves better than Badï in different culture conditions. The studied breeding lines could be recommended as resistance sources or candidates for varieties registrations.     

Dielectric relaxation phenomena in flax fibers composite

In this work, a study of the dynamic dielectric analysis of the unidirectional epoxy composite: flax-fibre-reinforced epoxy (FFRE) was investigated. In this composite, three relaxation processes were identified. The first one is the water dipoles polarization imputed to the presence of polar water molecules in flax fiber. The second relaxation process associated with conductivity occurs as a result of the carriers charges diffusion. As for the third dielectric relaxation associated with the interfacial polarization effect is attributable to the accumulation of charges at the fibers/matrix interface. The analysis of the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) and the water dipoles polarizations using the Havriliak-Negami model revealed the high adhesion of flax fibers in the matrix. This analysis was supported by the thermal properties using a Differential Scanning Calorimety (DSC).     

Scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in Syria

Scale insects in Syria were surveyed between 2009 and 2015. This study showed that Diaspididae and Coccidae were the most common families, comprising 5 and 8 species, respectively. The remaining families found comprised 1 species each. New records of Coccoidea fauna from Syria were Parlatoria blanchardi, Phoenicococcus marlatti, Coccus hesperidum, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum and Chionaspis etrusca.     

Risk assessment of pesticide residues in South African raw wheat

The presence of pesticide residues in wheat produced and imported in South Africa was determined and their health risks assessed. Pesticides were detected in all local (median = 1, range: 1–3, n = 71) and imported (median = 1, range: 1–6, n = 13) samples. Multiple pesticides (>1 pesticide) were detected in about 30% local samples and 39% imported samples. Eight different pesticides were detected in total. The most frequently detected pesticides were mercaptothion (99%), permethrin (19%) and chlorpyrifos (17%). Nine (11%) samples exceeded the EU wheat MRL for permethrin (0.05 mg/kg) which included 7 (10%) local samples and 2 (15%) imported samples. The highest fenitrothion level (0.65 mg/kg) corresponds to an intake that was below but near the estimated short-term safety threshold. The results call for an investigation into the levels of pesticide residues in cereal-based food and for tighter regulation and regular monitoring by government and industry.     

Effect of growth stage on the content and composition of the essential oil and phenolic fraction of sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.)

The variation in the content and composition of Origanum majorana L. essential oil has been studied. Plant material has been harvested at four phenological stages (early vegetative, late vegetative, budding and full-flowering). Essential oil yield varied from 0.04 to 0.09% reached during the full-flowering stage. Analysis of the essential oils by GC and GC/MS revealed the presence of 38 components represented mainly by oxygenated monoterpenes (64.01–71.4%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (21.73–29.92%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (1.47–4.05%). The main components were terpinen-4-ol (29.13–32.57%), cis-sabinene hydrate (19.9–29.27%), trans-sabinene hydrate (3.5–11.61%), γ-terpinene (2.11–8.20%), bornyl acetate (1.52–2.94%) and linalool (1.05–1.39%). On the other hand, phenolic contents varied from 2.706 to 6.834 mg/g of dry weight obtained during the later vegetative stage. RP-HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract of O. majorana L. dried aerial parts showed the predominance of phenolic acids during the early vegetative stage whereas flavonoids predominate during the other stages of growth. The main phenolic acids identified were trans-2-hydroxycinnamic, rosmarinic, vanillic, chlorogenic, gallic and cinnamic whereas the main flavonoids were amentoflavone, apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, coumarin and rutin. Results obtained showed that later vegetative stage is characterized by the highest contents of bioactive compounds and therefore it could be considered as the best stage for harvesting marjoram plants.     

Growth and uptake of Cd and Zn by Leucaena leucocephala in reclaimed soils as affected by NaCl salinity

Heavy metal accumulation in reclaimed soils is increasing rapidly in developing countries where the use of saline waters for irrigation is a common practice, even though salinity-heavy metal interactions are not fully understood. An example for this development is the Bangar area of Egypt where the application of contaminated amendments during the last 30 years has increased the Cd and Zn concentrations in topsoils from 0.08 to 0.76 mg · kg^—1 and from 17 to 73 mg · kg^—1 respectively. This work aimed at evaluating the uptake of Cd and Zn by Leucaena leucocephala, a leguminous tree cropped for fodder and green manure, as affected by the addition of 10 mM NaCl to irrigation water. During a 6 month field experiment, salinized and control plots were compared with respect to soil solution composition and root development as well as the uptake of Cd and Zn and their translocation to the leaves. NaCl treatment raised the concentration of organic carbon, Cd and Zn in soil solution and enhanced the uptake of Cd and Zn significantly. Salinized plants showed shorter roots, reduced retention of Cd and Zn in roots and stems and considerable translocation of both elements to the leaves. This work demonstrates that NaCl salinity affects not only the bioavailability of soil Cd and Zn but also modifies plant functions related to their acquisition and translocation to the leaves. The results provide evidence that the risk of transfer of heavy metals to the food chain and their leachability to the ground water may be greater under saline conditions than generally assumed.     

Partial replacement of dietary soybean meal by high‐protein distiller's dried grains (HPDDG) supplemented with protease enzyme for European seabass,Dicentrarchus labrax fingerlings

High‐protein distillers dried grains (HPDDG) is a co‐product of ethanol production that uses prefractionation technology. A 70‐day growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of partial replacement of dietary soybean meal by high‐protein distiller's dried grains (HPDDG) with protease enzyme supplementation (PROXYM ULTRA^®) on growth performance, physiological parameters and histological changes of the intestine of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax fingerlings. The results indicated that increased dietary HPDDG levels up to 50% of HPDDG supplemented with protease significantly increases growth performance and feed utilization and improved FCR of sea bass. In addition, replacement of SBM by HPDDG supplemented with protease enhanced feed intake efficiency and the health status of fish. Haematology and serum biochemistry (haemoglobin (Hb)), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and humeral immune parameters including total protein, globulin, cholesterol, lysozyme activity and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased with increase in HPDDG supplemented with protease in the diets. Results of this study indicated that HPDDG supplemented with protease is a good alternative protein source for aquaculture feed and can be included up to 50% as a replacement of SBM without compromising growth performance and physiological parameters of sea bass.     

Identification of a mannose‐binding lectin‐like protein recognized by the anti‐CD25 antibody in haemocytes from Cherax quadricarinatus

The crustacean haemolymph contains three main cell populations; however, it is not clear which mechanisms participate in the regulation of cells related to innate immunity. This work aimed to identify potential interleukin‐like receptors that could regulate cellular responses in Cherax quadricarinatus. By histochemical analysis with murine anti‐CD25 staining (targeting the α‐chain of the IL‐2 receptor), we identified that this antibody recognizes cytoplasmic granules in semigranular and granular haemocytes. In haemocytes stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), increased fluorescence was observed in these cytoplasmic granules, whereas staining with a human IL‐2 antibody after stimulation with 1–10 ng/ml PMA revealed no overexpression of the receptor or oxidative burst in haemocytes. Two‐dimensional Western blot analysis of haemocyte lysates showed that anti‐CD25 identified a 27.4‐kDa protein with an isoelectric point (pI) of 7.7 and a 46‐kDa protein with a pI of 6.9. De novo sequencing of these proteins identified that they had 32% homology with a mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) from Pacifastacus leniusculus. Our results indicate that a mannose‐binding lectin‐like protein could exert a protective effect that prevents damage from other activated immune responses.