Seasonal variations in the diet and food selection of the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus

The Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus is an insectivorous species. However, the exact composition of its natural diet remains largely undetermined, especially in relation to seasonal variations in food availability. From March to November, we simultaneously analysed the composition of 180 hedgehog faecal samples and food availability in the Soumman Valley, Algeria to assess food selection in this species. The faeces contained 196 different prey species, of which 92% belonged to the class Insecta. The highest prey species diversity was found in the Coleoptera order (100 species recorded) and the highest species occurrence was found in Hymenoptera (65% of the prey items, mainly represented by the harvester ant Messor barbarus, a crop-ravaging species). This study shows that the Algerian hedgehog is mainly a generalist species with a diet that is strongly linked to food availability. However, seasonal variations were observed in prey selection, and a notable shift in food preference was observed during autumn. The exact nature of these changes in feeding behaviour remains to be investigated, notably in relation to changes in energy requirements of this species before hibernation, in terms of quantity and/or quality.     

Optimization of light/dark cycle in an extended photoperiod-based speed breeding protocol for grain legumes

The use of high-performing varieties could contribute to increase food legume production and meet the population demand. However, the long process of conventional breeding is a serious limitation that needs further acceleration of genetic improvement. Speed breeding based on extended photoperiod is one of the techniques that allows rapid generation turnover by accelerating the plant life cycle. The present study focused on optimizing the duration of extended photoperiod for lentil, chickpea and faba bean in a growth chamber with light-emitting diode (LED) light sources. Significant differences in growth rate, biomass production, phenology, physiology, plant injury and yield components were observed depending on light phase durations (22, 18 and 14 h). Twenty-two hours of light resulted in earlier flowering and maturity, but higher stress symptoms than the other two light treatments. However, vegetative development was almost normal with limited stress under 14 h of light, but late flowering and maturity. Interestingly, good plant establishment with limited stress and shorter vegetative cycle was observed under 18 h of light. Therefore, a photoperiod of 18 h of light/6 h of darkness could be advised for a rapid breeding protocol.     

化学合成的几丁寡糖类似物诱导黄瓜对镰孢霉枯萎病的抗性

    报道3种化学合成的寡糖(β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚二糖,β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚三糖和Lewisa三糖)诱导黄瓜对镰孢霉枯萎病(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerium)的抗性.在黄瓜胚根期,β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚二糖和β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚三糖浸泡种子胚根后,表现抗病性,相对诱导抗性效果分别为21.9和22.3,β-1, 3-乙酰氨基葡聚糖的最低有效诱导浓度为5 μg·mL-1;而Lewisa三糖处理不表现抗病性.在黄瓜幼苗期,用β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚二糖和β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚三糖叶面喷雾,均表现抗病性,相对诱导抗性效果分别是28.5和23.5,β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚糖的最低有效诱导浓度为10 μg·mL-1;而Lewisa三糖同样处理后不表现抗性.化学合成的几丁寡糖类似物(β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚二糖和β-1,3-乙酰氨基葡聚三糖)和Lewisa三糖诱导黄瓜抗性的差异可能是由于糖残基、还原末端取代基及(或)其主链结构的差异.     

Genetic diversity analysis of Moroccan lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) landraces using Simple Sequence Repeat and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms reveals functional adaptation towards agro‐environmental origins

In the absence of previous molecular characterization, we assessed genetic diversity of 53 Moroccan lentil landraces including two local cultivars using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). Nineteen SSRs yielded 213 alleles, and seven AFLP primer combinations gave 766 fragments of which 422 were polymorphic. Moderate to high genetic variation was observed. Several small groups of landraces were differentiated. Interestingly, one of the smallest groups contained short‐cycle landraces with high early vegetative growth. Landraces in that group were from the dry land location of Abda, where they were likely selected for adaptation to drought and heat stress over centuries. Another group contained two landraces from highland areas that may have been selected for specific adaptation to cold stress. A third group contained one landrace from the Zear region known for its seed quality and has been proposed for the protected designation of origin (PDO) quality mark. Both techniques gave evidence of differentiation of the latter landrace supporting the idea of PDO attribution. Functional grouping according to agro‐environmental origins, cycle duration and early vegetative vigour was observed.