Le Prune dwarf ilarvirus en Tunisie: détection par plante test, sérologie et par microscopie électronique et caracterisation biologique d'un isolat d'amandier

Les résultats préliminaires d'un travail de dépistage des virus des arbres fruitiers dans les vergers et les parcs à bois tunisiens sont présentés dans cet article. Ils concernent le Prune dwarf ilarvirus (PDV). Pour sa détection, des méthodes biologique (plantes indicatrices), sérologique (ELISA) et de microscopie électronique (DIP, ISEM et décoration) ont été utilisées. De plus, une caractérisation biologique d'un isolat d'amandier utilisant de nouveaux cultivars de Cucurbitaceae a été faite; elle constitue une première étape dans une étude plus élargie de typage d'isolats viraux en Tunisie.     

Genetic structure of Tunisian natural carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) populations inferred from RAPD markers

? Seven RAPD markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and structure of ten Tunisian natural Ceratonia siliqua L. populations from different geographic and bioclimatic zones.

? The species maintain a high diversity within population as estimated by the percentage of polymorphic loci and Shannon’s index (P% = 76.31, $\bar H'_{pop} = 0.569$ ). The range of variation between populations was large. Populations from the upper semi-arid bioclimates, with more continuous distribution area showed the highest level of variation.

? A high genetic differentiation among populations (Φ_ST = 0.250 and $\bar G_{ST} = 0.347$ ), as a result of population isolation was revealed. Nevertheless, the genetic structure is in accordance with bioclimate indicating that ecological factors also should influence differentiation. Populations from the sub-humid, upper semi-arid and mean semi-arid zones clustered together and were distinct from those of the lower semi-arid ones.

? Conservation strategy should be made according to the level of polymorphism within population and bioclimate.

     

Phylogenetic and recombination analysis of sorghum isolates of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus

Recombination has played an important role in evolution and genetic diversity of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) isolates sequenced to date. This study found that three newly sequenced SCYLV sorghum isolates from the USA underwent intraspecies recombination. No statistical significance on probable progeny–parent relationships involving SCYLV sorghum isolates were found in possible interspecies recombination with 18 members of the Luteoviridae family. Sorghum isolates deposited in the GenBank database under accession numbers KT960995, KT960996 and KT960997 were phylogenetically closely related to SCYLV genotypes IND, CUB and CHN1, all members of phylogroup II. Networked relationships among the sorghum isolates showed that numerous incompatibilities occurred in the sequences. These conflicting signals were probably due to recombination, especially in KT960997, which was heavily impacted by recombination. The KT960997 accession was positioned on a distinct branch compared to other members of phylogroup II, suggesting that it has probably emerged as a new genotype. Future studies on molecular evolution may reveal further insights into the adaptation capacity of these SCYLV lineages to new environments.     

Le dépérissement de l'olivier issu de boutures herbacées en Tunisie

Quatre espèces fongiques ont été isolées à partir de jeunes oliviers (en phase de multiplication et en plein champ) dépéris et issus de boutures herbacées. Il s'agit de: Macrophomina phaseolina, Nectria haematococca, Armillaria mellea, Corticium rolfsii. Des enquêtes de terrain et des analyses de laboratoire ont permis de les repérer et de les identifier.     

Genetic diversity in Tunisian Crataegus azarolus L. var. aronia L. populations assessed using RAPD markers

? The genetic diversity of nine wild Tunisian Crataegus azarolus var. aronia L. populations from different bioclimates was assessed using RAPD markers.

? Eight selected primers generated a total of 105 bands, 81 of which were polymorphic. Shannon’s index (H′) ranged from 0.222 to 0.278 according to a population with an average of 0.245. The genetic variation within the species (H _SP = 0.423) was relatively low. A high differentiation (G _ST = 0.421) among populations coupled with a low level of gene flow (N _m = 0.472) were observed. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed also significant differentiation among populations (Φ_ST = 0.371), even at a low scale space. The majority of variation occurred within populations (63.31%). The Mantel test performed on genetic (Φ_ST) and geographic distance matrices among population pairs did not reveal an isolation by distance.

? Interpretation of Neighbour-joining tree based on Nei’s and Li’s genetic distance among individuals showed distinct population groupings. The UPGMA dendrogram based on Φ_ST values revealed two population sub-clusters, each including populations from different bioclimates and/or geographic regions.

? The low level of genetic diversity and the high genetic structure of populations resulted from genetic drift caused both by habitat fragmentation and the low size of populations.

? The high differentiation among populations and the similar low level of diversity within populations suggest that in situ conservation should interest all populations. The ex situ conservation should be based on the collection of seeds rather within than among populations because of the maximum of variation was revealed within populations.

     

Amplification de séquences (RT-PCR) et analyse du polymorphisme des fragments de restriction (RFLP) de quelques isolats du Prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus

L'approche moléculaire basée sur l'usage de l'amplification génique (RT-PCR) et l'analyse du polymorphisme des fragments de restriction (RFLP) a été utilisée pour la détection et le typage de trois isolats (Peerless, Texas et Khoukhi) du Prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus (PNRSV) sévissant dans les vergers et les parcs à bois d'amandier en Tunisie. Une comparaison a été effectuée avec deux autres isolats provenant, en l'occurrence, de France (isolat de cerisier) et d'Italie (isolat d'abricotier). La RT-PCR a permis de mettre en évidence la présence de ce virus dans le matériel végétal testé en amplifiant une portion génomique de 282 pb localisée sur l'ARN-3 de ce virus. L'analyse RFLP a permis de distinguer deux groupes d'isolats (Khoukhi et Cerisier, d'une part et Texas et Abricotier, d'autre part). L'isolat Peerless appartient au deux groupes. Un travail antérieur de caractérisation sérologique basée sur l'emploi d'anticorps monoclonaux a permis de conclure à ce que l'analyse RFLP est moins sensible que la sérologie quant à la distinction entre divers isolats de PNRSV. Un travail ultérieur, utilisant le séquençage de produits de PCR, fournirait des informations encore plus précises et détaillées.     

Genetic variation in Tunisian melon (Cucumis melo L.) germplasm as assessed by morphological traits

The morphological variation and the systematical status of 28 traditional melon including two ancient varieties collected from different geographical and bioclimatic areas of Tunisia were assessed based on 34 qualitative and quantitative traits. Yellow Canary was used as a reference variety. Significant differences among accessions within and among sites of collection were revealed for the majority of traits. The accessions from the Sahel were more polymorphic than those from Tozeur’s oasis. However, the classification of the local accessions according to Munger and Robinson’s varietal groups did not allow clear segregation of several of them because of their high heterogeneity. The principal component analysis (PCA) performed on all measured traits, allowed a distinction among the introduced varieties clustered according to their varietal group, and the local accessions grouped separately according to their geographical origin and bioclimatic zone. Mahalanobis distances among PCA’s groups were significant. The correlation found between Mahalanobis distance matrix and geographical distance matrix among origins corroborated isolation per distance. Conservation strategies should be made appropriately according to origins. Accessions from the Sahel showing the highest polymorphism within and among sites of collection should be firstly preserved.     

Genetic variation of Tunisian Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) populations assessed by isozymes and RAPDs

The genetic variation of six Tunisian Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) populations was assessed using nine isozymes coding for 17 putative loci and 79 RAPD markers, amplified by five decamer random primers. The analysed populations belonged to three bioclimatic zones (lower humid, sub-humid and upper semi-arid). A high genetic diversity within populations was detected both by isozymes and RAPDs. The level of variation differed according to bioclimate. Populations collected from sub-humid bioclimate showed more polymorphism than those grown in the upper semi-arid zone. For all populations, the genetic diversity revealed by RAPDs was more pronounced than that detected with isozymes. A high differentiation among populations related to bioclimate and geographic distance was revealed by both methods. Population’s structure based on RAPD markers was more concordant with bioclimatic zones in comparison with isozymes. Differentiation between ecological groups was higher than that revealed within groups. Conservation programs should take into account the level of genetic diversity within population revealed by the two complementary classes of markers according to bioclimate.