Physiological races of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis in Tunisia

Fusarium wilt of melon, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis (Fom), is an important disease; races of the pathogen were identified by inoculating differential standard host cultivars. A total of ten isolates that were obtained from 23 fields located in four different geographical regions were identified as pathogenic. Results indicate that all four known Fom races, namely, 0, 1, 2 and 1.2, were found in north and middle Tunisia. Race 1.2 was the most prevalent.     

Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Herbage Production of an Established Grass Sward in Relation to Moisture and Nitrogen Fertilization

Herbage growth and nitrogen (N) use efficiency in grazed or mown grasslands are generally low, associated mostly with poor response to fertilizer N. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the short-term response of grass to fertilizer N with respect to herbage yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in order to provide a better basis for improving the efficient use of fertilizer N in grassland ecosystems. Both NO₃ ^? and NH₄ ⁺ sources of N were applied to an established grass sward with three moisture levels, i.e., natural conditions (63% water-filled pore space, WFPS), near field capacity level (71% WFPS), and slightly wetter than field capacity (84% WFPS). Herbage yield, i.e., dry matter (DM), N uptake, N recovery efficiency, yield efficiency, and physiological efficiency were determined over a 7–28 d period. Addition of N fertilizers significantly increased the herbage yield and N uptake of grass sward over that of the control. In the plots where NO₃ ^??N was added as the N source, DM yield was between 1760–1870 kg ha^?1, N recovery efficiency was between 24%–43%, and yield and physiological efficiency were in the range of 2.1–3.2 and 6.4–8.8 kg DM kg^{? 1} N, respectively. In NH₄ ⁺?N added plots, the DM yield was between 3190–3700 kg ha^{? 1}, N recovery efficiency was between 39%–48% while yield and physiological efficiency were in the range of 3.5–5.6 and 9.0–11.6 kg DM kg^{? 1} N, respectively. Results indicated that total DM yield, N uptake, and NUE depend on the source of N and the level of moisture in the field. Assimilation of N is also affected by the stage of plant development after N fertilization. About 50%–54% of applied N was recovered in the initial 14 and 21 d after fertilizer application and thereafter translocation of N slowed. A fall in herbage production and minimal response to N fertilizer has been observed at 84% WFPS, while the maximum herbage yield and N recovery efficiency was recorded in soil near or below field capacity. The grass sward with added NH₄ ⁺?N produced a larger yield and had higher NUE relative to the sward with NO₃ ^??N. Results confirm that applied N was not utilized efficiently by grass sward and a decrease in N uptake and its utilization seem to be the key factors responsible for the poor herbage productivity often observed in pastoral agriculture. These results suggest that both moisture and N source have a substantial effect on herbage yield and N utilization by plants and therefore should be considered for efficient management of N fertilization and recommendations for grass sward.     

Emergence en Tunisie de Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. tuberosi agent de flétrissure vasculaire des plants et de pourriture sèche des tubercules de pomme de terre

Le pouvoir pathogène de certains isolats de Fusarium oxysporum collectés a été testé sur plants et sur tubercules de pomme de terre. L'inoculation de plants du cultivar 'Spunta' par une suspension de spores a engendré une réduction de croissance et le flétrissement vasculaire de l'ensemble des plants inoculés par les différents isolats. L'agent pathogène a été ré-isolé. Sur tubercules, les différents isolats se sont comporté comme agents de pourriture sèche. Cet ensemble de résultats confirme qu'il s'agit de Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. tuberosi , signalé pour la première fois en Tunisie.     

Adaptation and morpho-physiology of three Populus deltoides Marsh.?×?P. nigra L. clones after preconditioning to prolonged waterlogging

The implementation of a management-protection program, using suitable cultivation practices, contributes to rehabilitating marginal areas prone to prolonged waterlogging and preserving biodiversity. Three hybrid poplar clones (‘I-488’, ‘Rimini’ and ‘D-64’) were tested to assess their degree of tolerance to waterlogging by imposing four water regimes over a 1?year period: control (C), non-preconditioned (NPr), and two levels of flood preconditioning (Pr₁₀ and Pr₂₀). During the 2nd?year, waterlogging (1.9?±?0.7?mg/l O₂) was imposed on plants from NPr, Pr₁₀ and Pr₂₀ treatments for 60?days followed by drainage. Survival rate, dry mass production, net photosynthesis and relative damage to membrane structural integrity were evaluated. The treatment response varied among clones and levels of preconditioning. Less pronounced damage to ‘I-488’ clones in comparison to those of ‘Rimini’ and ‘D-64’ indicates its superior tolerance to waterlogging. Preconditioning treatments (Pr₂₀) and, to a lesser extent (Pr₁₀), significantly improved the ability of the clones to tolerate flooding, suggesting that the application of a Pr₂₀ preconditioning treatment in the nursery before outplanting would give hybrid poplar clones the morpho-physiological advantages necessary to counteract the arduous conditions on inundated sites.     

Morphogenetic responses of Populus alba L. under salt stress

The morphogenetic responses to salt stress of Tunisian Populus alba clones were studied in order to promote their plantation in damaged saline areas.One year-old plants of three P.alba clones(MA-104,MA-195 and OG)were subjected to progressive salt stress by irrigation during two consecutive years.The plants were grown in a nursery,inside plastic receptacles containing sandy soil and were irrigated with tap water(control)or 3–6 g/l NaCl solution.During this study,leaf epinasty,elongation rate,vigor,internode length,plant architecture,and number of buds were evaluated.Test clone response was highly dependent on the applied treatment and degree of accommodation.The most pronounced alterations were induced under 6g/l of NaCl treatment including leaf epinasty,leaf elongation rate delay,vigor decrease,internode length shortening,and morphogenetic modifications.These responses were less noticeable in the MA-104 clone with respect to the two other clones.The salt effect induced a delay in the leaf elongation rate on the MA-195 and OG clones leading to an early leaf maturity.The vigour and internode length of the MA-104 clone was less affected than the other clones.The OG clone was the most salt-sensitive thus,it developed shorter branches and more buds number than MA-195 and MA-104.The effect of long-term salt stress was to induce early flowering of the P.alba clones which suggests that mechanism of salt accommodation could be developed.