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
This work belongs to a breeding program held to improve and develop the genetic resources of tossa jute cropped in Tunisian arid regions. The main objectives of this study were (i) the comparison of the nutritional composition (minerals, phenolic compounds) and the antioxidant activities of fifteen tossa jute populations and (ii) the identification of the superior performing ones. The results of the analysis of variances (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between the assessed populations in terms of mineral and phenolic compositions as well as in terms of antioxidant activity (DPPH). The univariate comparison of means tests and the hierarchical cluster analysis identified two interesting groups of tossa jute populations; The first group was presented by P11 and P15; which were characterized by the highest mineral composition; and the second group brings together the populations P4 and P12; which were characterized by the highest phenolic composition. This germplasm recommended to be the subject of further studies to achieve the breeding program to develop more performing variety jute for the Tunisian arid regions.
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