Despite the decline in the areas reserved for the cultivation of the finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) in the coastal oasis, this specie had occupied an important place in the diet of the inhabitants of the south of Tunisia and especially the region of Gabes. To contribute to a better knowledge of this plant in the oasis of Gabes, mineral and fiber characterizations were performed for 30 samples collected from four oases of Gabes. For each sample 11 nutrients: (Na, K, P, Ca, Mg and N), the crude protein, the neutral detergent fiber, the acid detergent fiber, the crude fiber and ash contents, were studied. Results of minerals analysis showed that calcium and magnesium were the most concentrated nutrients in all studied accessions (189.93-1272.36 mg/100g and 84.71-567.45 mg/100g respectively), followed by potassium (11.24-284.7 mg/100g), sodium (13.73-42.47 mg/100g) and phosphorus (2.208-11.033 mg/100g). Acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, crude fiber and ash average contents of the accessions were respectively higher than 30.58, 12.65, 4.01 and 3.2% of dry matter of the finger millet.

Medicago sativa is the main perennial legume in many places in the world such as South-East Tunisian Oases. The widespread use of this species is due to its high adaptability, forage yield potential and to its good quality. Furthermore, the succession of drought years in South-East Tunisian Oases especially in Gabes influenced fodder distribution and digestibility. To a better understanding of the variation of the nutritive value of (Medicago sativa L.) plants, the effect of four drought levels (25%; 50%; 75% and 100% of field capacity) on nutritive quality was investigated for three populations [P1 (Gannouch); P2 (Chenini) and P3 (Tebelbou)] cultivated in these oases. Results showed that drought reduced leaves, shoots and roots dry matter, while this effect was more pronounced for above organs (values reached 1.2 mg) than below organs (values reached 1.8 mg). However, drought decreased phosphor, calcium, magnesium and nitrogen contents, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and in acid detergent lignin content for P1 and P2, this stress enhanced potassium uptake, leaves shoots and roots shoots ratios especially for P3, values passed from 1.56 for control treatment to 2.06 for 25% of field capacity. This population seems to be the most resistant to drought by maintaining reduced leaf area and elevated ratios. This result indicates that Medicago sativa succeed to maintain a good nutritive value under stress conditions. To the best of our knowledge, it is important to study the effect of this stress on others varieties to more understand its effect on nutritive value. ARTICLE HISTORY

Barley "Ardhaoui" (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a local landraces cropped in southern Tunisia characterized by its resistance to drought and salinity. Salt tolerance of barley changes according to the growth stages. In order to study the salinity tolerance of (Hordeum vulgare L.), fourteen barely accessions, were grown in soil and exposed to four salinity levels (5, 7, 13 and 20 dS/m).To evaluate its salt tolerance using multiple parameters, fourteen barley accessions from two regions in the southern Tunisia (costal and mountainous regions) were grown in soil and exposed to four salinity levels (5, 7, 13 and 20 dS/m). Plant growth parameter, total biomass at final harvest, straw yield and yield compound associated with salt tolerance during the different growth stages were determined. The results showed negative effects of salinity on the growth and the development of the barley. However, the salt sensitive accessions showed a greater reduction in tiller number (e.g. by about 80 %) than tolerant ones (e.g. by about 57 %) at 20 dS/m. These decrease on the growth of leaves, tillers and the aerial part constitute a strategy developed by the barely in vegetative phase to reduce the salt stress. Tiller and spikelet numbers were more affected by the salinity at 13 and 20 dS/m the different results showed significant correlation between the spikes numbers and the tiller number (r = 0.872). The salinity affected negatively these two parameters, which both initiate during early growth stages. So, the salinity has a greater influence on final grain yield than on yield components in the later stages. The studied parameters showed significant differences (p<0.05) between the barely accessions.The cluster analysis using agronomic parameters at all growth stage showed that the accessions "Ettalah" and "Elhezma" were ranked as the most tolerant to salinity. However, "Boughrara" and "Edwiret Elgdima" accessions were ranked as moderate and presented a change of their degree of tolerance with the different growth stage. The remaining accessions showed the lowest tolerance to salinity. A highest tolerance was observed on the accessions from plain zones compared at those of mountainous zones.The response differences between accessions of local population of barley "Ardhaoui" reflecting an important internal genetic variability against the salinity. This variability could be more explored and used for the barley breeding program.

Tunisia is one of the main producers and exporters of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in the world. Due to its international importance, the selection of both quantitative and qualitative most desirable varieties has become a necessity. To select new cultivars that are most appropriate for commercial use, 21 accessions were collected from different regions of south-east Tunisia. 24 morphological characters of the tree and fruit were studied for each accession. This study has revealed considerable diversity especially concerning the tree vigor, the fruit size and color and the acidity of juice. Taking into account all comments, some trees are considered particularly efficient in south-eastern Tunisia.

No abstract