Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences
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Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) disease in Morocco: Current status and action for its management
Get PDFFire Blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is one of major economic threats to pear and apple growing areas worldwide. In Morocco, this devastating bacterium was first detected in 2006 on pear plantations in Ain Orma district of the Meknes region. Since then, the pathogen was progressively spreading to different regions of pear, apple and quince production, resulting in important losses. As a result, over 2312 Ha of pear, quince and apple orchards were eradicated in 2013. The situation was described as an economic disaster never seen before in the country. Currently, the middle Atlas region, the stronghold of the Moroccan rosaceous production, was entirely affected by this disease. Following the appearance of the bacterium, several approaches including morphological, physiological, biochemical, serological and molecular traits, were undertaken for the early detection and identification of E. amylovora. In this review, we discuss rigorous actions taken by Moroccan authorities to overcome the fire blight outbreak, which includes entire eradication of infected commercial orchards and individual trees. Therefore, the disease incidence rate was reduced, and the infected zone was restricted. In addition, during the last 10 years, studies on bacterium strains diversity and origin were performed using different methods; RFLP, RAPD, rep-PCR, fAFLP, VNTR and biochemical tests. In recent years, with the use of tolerant cultivars, research is oriented to develop an effective and reliable alternative control strategy for fire blight disease using an integrated approach.
Keywords: Erwinia amylovora, Morocco, detection, diversity, economic losse
Key fruit flies species (Diptera, Tephritidae) reported in Africa and presenting a biosecurity concern in Morocco: An Overview
Get PDFFruit crop species are from the most widely cultivated crops in Morocco. However, the sustainability of this lucrative business is threatened by infestations of invasive fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) that may inflict heavy economic losses to the country if their invasion occurs. At this time, Medfly is the main fruit fly which causes a high loss and is a phytosanitary concern to fruit species. The distribution and abundance of the major frugivorous tephritids are influenced by host presence, climatic factors, and their potential of invasion. Two types of economic impact of fruit flies are distinguished, direct losses in the yield and indirect losses due to the loss of markets caused by quarantine restrictions imposed by importing countries to prevent the entry of exotic flies in their territory. The most important invasive tephritid fruit flies present in Africa and that may constitute a risk of invasion into Morocco are Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae. Also, the indigenous species within genera Ceratitis ((Ceratitis quinaria, C. anonae, C. catoirii, C. cosyra, C. silvestrii, C. ditissima, C. fasciventris, C. rosa, C. quilicii) and Dacus (Dacus latifrons, D.vertebratus, D.bivittatus, D.punctatifrons, Dacus ciliates) may present a risk of introduction to Morocco. These fruit fly species are characterized by having a wide range of host plants and a wide distribution throughout Africa. The risk of spread is enhanced by the lack of control and the weakness of the identification process of the present and newly introduced species. This review presents the status and the distribution of major fruit fly species present in Africa, gives an overview of their host plants, new invasions and means of detection and phytosanitary measures to implement in Morocco to avoid any invasion originated from other African countries.
Keywords: Africa, Fruit fly, Distribution, host plant, Invasion, biosecurity, and Morocco
Genetic evaluation of some sesame genotypes for seed yield and its components
Get PDFTo study genetic variation, genetic parameters and selection criteria of seventeen sesame genotypes, a field experiment was conducted across different environments represented by two summer seasons of 2018 (E1) and 2019 (E2) at Etay-El-Baroud/Behaira Agricultural Research Station and one summer season of 2019 (E3) at Kafr-El-Hamam/Sharkia Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt using a randomized complete block design with three replications for each environment. The promising sesame genotypes were L25 for earliness in flowering at E1 and across environments, L101 for plant height and fruiting zone length when grown at E2 and L110 across environments, L35 for number of branches plant and seed yield per feddan when grown at E2 and across environments, L48 for capsules length when grown at E2 and L2 across environments, L82 for 1000-seed weight when grown at E3 and L35 across environments, L2 for seed weight per plant when grown at E1 and across environments and L101 for seed oil content when grown at E1 and across environments. Among the most effective traits in improving seed weight per plant were fruiting zone length and number of branches per plant, as verified through correlation and path analyses at phenotypic and genotypic levels.These traits had the highest broad-sense heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean.
Keywords: Correlation, Genetic variability, Heritability, Path analysi
Assessment of production and marketing practices for dried figs: Surveys of Moroccan fig producers and sellers
Get PDFQuality is a long-standing and recurring issue that is still at the top of consumer concerns. It is estimated that the dry fig sector in Morocco is far below the potential offered by this sector. This work focuses on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of this sector through a survey of dried fig producers and traders. The quality evaluation of dried figs marketed according to the trade standard covered 30 samples of dried figs of Moroccan origin and 5 samples of figs of Turkish origin. The main constraints hindering the development of this sector are the varieties of fig trees used for drying and the constraints of the various links in the value chain up to the point of sale. Dried figs of Moroccan origin had a level of commercial quality that is below international requirements. Indeed, the marketed dry fig is characterized by small size, heterogeneity and the presence of insects. In this work, recommendations are presented for upgrading the Moroccan dried fig sector.
Keywords: dried fig, Morocco, quality, survey, trade, productio
Effects of calcium products applications on quality and shelf life of four peach varieties
Get PDFPreharvest foliar calcium (Ca) products sprays (@ 1%) supplied as Ca oxide, Ca chloride, or Ca thiosulfate were applied on four peach cvs. to determine the effect of Ca formulations on fruit quality and shelf life. Treatments were designed to cover the entire period of fruit growth from fruit set to maturity, thus each calcium formulation was applied three to four times at 6 to 15-days interval depending on fruit growth rate. Multiple harvest times were realized with the progress of fruit commercial maturity, fruit samples of the first and last harvest of each cv. were either analyzed or stored for shelf life evaluation. Treatments with Ca products resulted in a significant increase in fruit firmness, for both harvests of all peach cvs., maximum increase was obtained by Ca chloride applications in three cvs., while fruit acidity was slightly increased in three varieties. Applications of Ca also reduced the number of fruit with split pit. Postharvest fruit weight loss was decreased by Ca treatments after 8 days storage; maximum storage period occurred with Ca chloride treatment, followed by Ca oxide treatment at the second position. Decay incidence was consistently reduced by Ca application for all peach cvs, mostly for the first harvest, relatively to the second one; the lowest rate of decay was recorded for Ca chloride treatment.
Keys words: Prunus persica, firmness, storage, decay incidenc
Comparative study of the hydraulic, energy and agronomic performances of conventional and low pressure drip irrigation on citrus
Get PDFIn countries facing water scarcity, drip irrigation can raise crop productivity and save water compared to flood irrigation. In spite of its benefits, the adoption of drip irrigation is still low mainly due to the high cost of investment and the energy cost of operation. For this latter constraint, new types of drippers operating at low pressure are being tested. The present study aims to compare the performances of two types of drippers, represented by conventional drippers (CD) operating at nominal pressure of one bar and the new drippers (LP) operating at a pressure of 0.15 bars. The study was carried out in a citrus grove in Tadla, Morocco. Results showed that low pressure emitters reduced hydraulic energy per unit volume of water supplied by around 43% compared to conventional emitters, without significant reduction in water distribution uniformity. Low pressure drippers had uniformities of 80 to 92%, compared to 88 to 97% for conventional drippers. Citrus growth parameters, fruit yield and the fruit quality of the Maroc late variety were identical under the two types of drippers. Thus, low pressure emitters can be used as a substitute for conventional drippers which require higher energy.
Key words: Drip irrigation, performance indicators, low pressure, citrus, Morocc
Lentil genetic improvement in Morocco: State of art of the program, major achievements and perspectives
Get PDFLentil contributes to sustainable farming by biological fixation of nitrogen in soils, therefore reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. It enhances health and nutrition due to its grain rich in proteins, iron, zinc and other micronutrients. Furthermore, lentil is a staple food for a large proportion of the population, thus playing an important role in food security. In Morocco, lentil is grown in rainfed areas as part of the cereal-based cropping system. However, despite the importance of lentil, the country still relies on imports to cover local demand. Breeding towards high yielding, biotic and abiotic resistant and adapted varieties corresponding to farmer’s needs are at utmost importance to enhance and sustain crop productivity. Clear review of the achievements, specific constraints analysis and improvement objectives definition could contribute to operational design of future prospects. Under this perspective, this paper is a review of lentil genetic improvement in Morocco.
Keyword: lentil, improved varieties, Morocco. 
Fig tree viruses in Morocco
Get PDFFig (Ficus carica L.), widely grown in Morocco, is an important fruit crop for the country, both economically and socially. Fig mosaic disease is a complex with which at least eight viruses of different taxonomic position are associated. In 2014-2018, field surveys for viruses were carried out in the main fig growing areas of Morocco (Azilal, El Jadida, Moulay Driss Zarhoune and Taounate). A total of 117 samples were collected and checked by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using virus specific primers, for the presence of Fig mosaic virus (FMV), Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 1 (FLMaV-1), Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 2 (FLMaV-2), Fig mild mottling-associated virus (FMMaV), Fig latent virus 1 (FLV-1), Fig fleck-associated virus (FFkaV) and Fig cryptic virus (FCrV). PCR was also carried out for the presence of Fig badnavirus 1 (FBaV-1). About 71% of the trees were infected with at least one virus, with mixed infections in ca. 50% of the samples. FMV was the prevailing virus (40.9% infection), especially in Azilal (47.4%) and on cv. Nabout (46.2%), followed by FLMaV-1 (30.7%). FMMaV-2, FMMaV, FFkaV and FBV-1 were detected in 25.2%, 25.2%, 8.7% and 5.5% of the samples, respectively. FLV-1 and FCrV were not found. This is the first report on the presence of FMV, FLMaV-1, FLMaV-2, FMMaV, FFkaV and FBV-1 in Morocco and offers a preliminary insight into the unsatisfactory health status of fig trees in the country. Considering that the production of figs in Morocco is increasing, more attention should be given to improving the phytosanitary condition of fig trees in the country.
Keywords: Ficus carica, RT-PCR, virus detection, fig mosaic, Morocc
Pilot testing of two biofungicide formulations for the control of citrus blue and green mold in two Moroccan packinghouses
Get PDFPichia guilliermondii strain Z1 and Bacillus subtilis strain ZH2 were previously selected for their high and reliable antagonistic activities against Penicillium digitatum (Sacc.) and blue mould (P. italicum Weh.) on citrus fruits. The effectiveness of pilot testing of wettable and a granular powder formulation based on each biocontrol agent was evaluated and compared to thiabendazole in two packinghouses. Each fruit was wounded on the outer surface on two opposite locations. Fruits intended to be treated with biofungicides were recovered just before applying the wax at packaging line. Fruits were soaked in a solution made with each formulation. Pathogenic inoculation was made 24 hours later by spraying two different varieties of fruits, Clementine ‘Nules’ and ‘Valencia-late’ orange, with a suspension of 105 conidia/ml of P. italicum or P. digitatum. The effect of treatment was evaluated after 7 days of fruit incubation at two temperatures 4 °C and 20 °C. The result showed that the control achieved with strain Z1 on ‘Valencia late’ orange was comparable to that with thiabendazole. On the other hand, the decay control was lower for all the treatments on the Clementine ‘Nules’. Nevertheless, ZH2 strain has no effect at 4 °C. Therefore, it was concluded that strain Z1 is a promising biocontrol agent for the control of major postharvest diseases of citrus in Moroccan packinghouse stations.
Keywords: Citrus, biological control, formulation, packinghouse, Pichia guilliermondii, Bacillus subtili
Effect of proximity to Jujube (Ziziphus lotus and Ziziphus jujube) trees on medfly (Ceratitis capitata) populations in citrus orchards of Moulouya Perimeter
Get PDFMoulouya Perimeter is one of the most important zones of Citrus production in Morocco, with an area of 22.000 ha and 360.000 tons of Citrus production. Medfly “Ceratitis capitata, Wiedemann 1824” is a pest with an important economic impact for Citrus, because of its impact on yield losses and phytosanitary concern linked to its presence. In Citrus orchards of Moulouya perimeter, adjacent wild jujube (Ziziphus lotus and Ziziphus jujuba) trees may have an impact on Medfly populations. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of adjacent jujube trees, growing in windbreaks and noncommercial orchards, on medfly captures in the traps located in citrus orchards and to determine the amount of increase of punctured fruits caused by medfly oviposition considering the distance ranges to the jujube trees (10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250 and 275m).To achieve this purpose, 180 traps were placed in 15 orchards and monitored for medfly captures weekly, from April to November 2019, within three locations (Aklim, Chouihia, and Reggada) representing Citrus producing area of Moulouya Perimeter. The monitoring of C. capitata adults was conducted using “Maghreb med” traps with trimedlure (tbutyl-4(or5)-chloro-2-methyl-cyclohexane carboxylate) male-specific para-pheromone as attractant and dichlorvos as a toxicant. Five orchards per each location were selected and 12 traps were hung in every orchard in fixed distances from the jujube trees and fruits were checked for punctures. The influence of each jujube tree in citrus orchards in his vicinity is higher within distances inferior to 75 m. Then, its impact could approach 2,25 Ha on average, and in this area, C. capitata population densities were twice to five times as high as in other distances. Furthermore, Citrus trees located at distances inferior to 75m from the jujube trees showed an increase in the percentage of punctured fruits compared with distances higher than 75m