ABSTRACT
Orobanche crenata is a parasitic weed representing a serious constraint to crop production in the Mediterranean basin. Here, we aim to evaluate the global scientific research status and trends of O. crenata through a bibliometric analysis to identify prominent research themes, development trends, and major contributors in terms of authors, institutions, countries, and journals. In the span of 53 years, from 1968 to 2021, 274 articles related to this field were retrieved from Scopus database and were analyzed using VOSviewer and BiblioShiny software. Results showed that 70.4% of all articles on O. crenata have been published in the last two decades. "Control methods" was the most prevalent research theme with 55.9% of all articles. Weed Research is the most influential journal. The countries with the highest number of articles were Spain, Egypt, and Italy. The Institute for Sustainable Agriculture is the most involved institution, contributing to 31.7% of all articles, and authors from Spain were the most productive. The latest research literature (5 years) was performed mainly by authors from Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia, emphasizing the persistence of this constraint in these countries. Keyword analysis revealed that "Vicia faba", "germination", and "legumes" are the most researched hotspots. Despite the growing collaborative behavior in this area, cooperation between countries is still deficient and should be extended to countries that are recently affected by this scourge to exchange expertise already acquired by experienced researchers, thus allowing better worldwide control of this parasitic weed.
Subject(s)
Fabaceae , Orobanche , Plant Weeds , Agriculture , BibliometricsABSTRACT
Screening of native plant species from mining sites can lead to identify suitable plants for phytoremediation approaches. In this study, we assayed heavy metals tolerance and accumulation in native and dominant plants growing on abandoned Pb/Zn mining site in eastern Morocco. Soil samples and native plants were collected and analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Sb, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) were determined for each element. Our results showed that soils present low organic matter content combined with high levels of heavy metals especially Pb and Zn due to past extraction activities. Native and dominant plants sampled in these areas were classified into 14 species and eight families. Principal components analysis separated Artemisia herba-alba with high concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb in shoots from other species. Four plant species, namely, Reseda alba, Cistus libanotis, Stipa tenacissima, and Artemisia herba-alba showed strong capacity to tolerate and hyperaccumulate heavy metals, especially Pb, in their tissues. According to BCF, TF, and BAC, these plant species could be used as effective plants for Pb phytoextraction. Stipa tenacissima and Artemisia herba-alba are better suited for phytostabilization of Cd/Cu and Cu/Zn, respectively. Our study shows that several spontaneous and native plants growing on Pb/Zn contaminated sites have a good potential for developing heavy metals phytoremediation strategies.
ABSTRACT
The parasitic weed, Orobanche crenata, is one of the most devastating constraint for faba bean production in Mediterranean regions. Plant host defense induction was reported as one of the most appropriate control methods in many crops. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) and indole acetic acid (IAA) on the induction of faba bean resistance to O. crenata under the field and controlled experimental conditions. Both hormones were tested on two contrasting faba bean genotypes: Giza 843 (partially resistant to O. crenata) and Lobab (susceptible) at three different application methods (seed soaking, foliar spray, and the combination of both seed soaking and foliar spray). Soaking seeds in SA or IAA provided the highest protection levels reaching ~75% compared to the untreated control plants. Both elicitors limited the chlorophyll content decrease caused by O. crenata infestation and increased phenolic compound production in host plants. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activities were stimulated in the host plant roots especially in the susceptible genotype Lobab. The magnitude of induction was more obvious in infested than in non-infested plants. Histological study revealed that both SA and IAA decreased the number of attached O. crenata spikes which could be related to specific defense responses in the host plant roots.
ABSTRACT
Zinc is an essential microelement involved in many aspects of plant growth and development. Abnormal zinc amounts, mostly due to human activities, can be toxic to flora, fauna, and humans. In plants, excess zinc causes morphological, biochemical, and physiological disorders. Some plants have the ability to resist and even accumulate zinc in their tissues. To date, 28 plant species have been described as zinc hyperaccumulators. These plants display several morphological, physiological, and biochemical adaptations resulting from the activation of molecular Zn hyperaccumulation mechanisms. These adaptations can be varied between species and within populations. In this review, we describe the physiological and biochemical as well as molecular mechanisms involved in zinc hyperaccumulation in plants.
ABSTRACT
Knowledge of genetic diversity and population structure is a crucial step for an efficient use of available material in a plant breeding program and for germplasm conservation strategies. Current study undertakes an assessment of the genetic variations and population structure of Moroccan lentil including nine landraces and eight released varieties using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) markers. Results revealed that the two markers used have a good efficiency to assess genetic diversity in lentil. A total of 115 and 90 bands were respectively scored for SRAP and RAPD, of which 98.3% and 93.3% were polymorphic. The polymorphic information content values were 0.350 with SRAP and 0.326 with RAPD. Analysis of molecular variance based on the combined data sets of both markers revealed lower variations within (35%) than among (65%) landraces (PhiPT = 0.652), implying significant genetic differentiation between landraces. Principal coordinate analysis and the ascendant hierarchical classification clustered samples into groups that were consistent with the geographical origin of the cultivars. Population structure corroborated the main groups and confirmed the high differentiation among them. Moroccan lentil germplasm showed a wide genetic diversity that might be conserved and assessed for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
ABSTRACT
Radopholus similis and Meloidogyne spp. are the main nematode parasites of banana plants grown under plastic shelters in Morocco. A test was made in pots to evaluate the resistance of four genotypes of banana to these nematodes. Infection by Meloidogyne spp. brought about an increase in root weight in all banana plants tested because of gall formation. The inoculation of R. similis produced a reduction in length and diameter of the pseudo-trunk as well as in root and aerial mass in all genotypes. Pisang jari buaya showed the significantly lowest number of Meloidogyne nematodes per 10 g of roots, whereas for R. similis, the significantly smallest numbers were obtained in Pisang berlin and Pisang jari buaya. Therefore, Pisang jari buaya was the only banana genotype studied to show some degree of resistance to both nematodes.
