Biodiversity of fruit species in the valley of Oued Righ: the case of the area of Touggourt (Algeria)

Abstract

-Introduction. Algerian oases are characterized by a diversification of local fruit species and cultivars. However, this diversity is subject to erosion. To preserve the genetic heritage, we undertook the first work on the inventory of fruit species crops in the region of Touggourt in south-eastern Algeria. Materials and methods. Our working methods were based on surveys carried out on farms in the Oued Righ region according to a questionnaire that met our objectives. For this, we divided the study region into three zones and in each zone we selected ten farms for the inventory of fruit species cultivated. Results and discussion. The results of our investigations allowed us to identify thirteen species, including four species with a wide distribution (pomegranate tree, apricot tree, fig tree and vine). The local genetic diversity of these species is little known. The varieties or cultivars inventoried have local names given by the farmers in the region according to certain morphological characteristics of the fruit. We surveyed five cultivars for the fig tree, two cultivars for the pomegranate tree, two cultivars for the vine, and two apricot tree cultivars. The study of the biodiversity of fruit trees in the Oued Righ region showed high richness of the species and cultivars; some are local and others are endemic to the region. Better knowledge of genetic diversity will begin with tests of behavior and characterization of the different genotypes encountered to dispel the ambiguities and to highlight the actual composition of populations or varieties of different species.Algeria / Sahara / oases / biodiversity / fruit crops / farm surveys / erosion La biodiversité des espèces fruitières dans la vallée de Oued Righ : cas de la région de Touggourt (Algérie).Résumé -Introduction. Les oasis algériennes se caractérisent par une diversification des espèces fruitières locales et de leurs cultivars. Cependant, cette diversité est sujette à l'érosion. Afin de préserver le patrimoine génétique, nous avons entrepris un premier travail d'inventaire des cultures fruitières dans la région de Touggourt au sud-est de l'Algérie. Matériel et méthodes. Nos méthodes de travail ont été basées sur des enquêtes menées dans les exploitations agricoles de la région d'Oued Righ à partir d'un questionnaire orienté vers nos objectifs. Pour cela, nous avons divisé la zone d'étude en trois zones et, dans chaque zone, nous avons sélectionné dix fermes qui ont donné lieu à un inventaire des espèces fruitières cultivées. Résultats et discussion. Les résultats de nos enquêtes nous ont permis d'identifier treize espèces, dont quatre avec une large distribution (grenadier, abricotier, figuier et vigne). La diversité génétique locale de ces espèces est peu connue. Les variétés ou cultivars inventoriés portent des noms locaux donnés par les agriculteurs de la région en fonction de certaines caractéristiques morphologiques du fruit. En ce sens, nous avons identifié cinq cultivars pour le figuier, deux cultivars pour le grenadier, deux cultiva...

Biodiversity, Genetic Diversity, and Genetic Resources of Date Palm

“…They also develop or improve management practices, including the conscious selection of clones for various tree and fruit traits and selection of elite male cultivars for artifi cial pollination. Such practices may have far-reaching effects on the status of date palm genetic resources and their diversity (Allam and Cheloufi 2012 ;Elshibli and Korpelainen 2009b ). These practices also go beyond traditional genetic resources conservation by improving and developing new and improved cultivars.…”

“…The exchange of offshoots between farmers and between oases may have resulted in heterozygous and heterogeneous populations, whereas the introduction of seedlings, after fruit consumption, may have resulted in generating more diversity within and among oases (Munier 1981 ;Popenoe 1913 ;Rivas et al 2012 ). However, consumer demands for fruit of specifi c elite cultivars led to their dominance through regional and international germplasm exchange and the loss of genetic diversity due to the disappearance of many cultivars with medium or low fruit quality (Allam and Cheloufi 2012 ;Hasnaoui et al 2011 ;Jaradat and Zaid 2004 ).…”

“…Increased global trade and germplasm exchange present a number of challenges to date production whether in traditional oases or in largescale plantations. Such challenges stem from increased pressure on water supplies, salinity, and biotic stresses caused by traditional, invasive, or emerging pests and diseases (Allam and Cheloufi 2012 ;Alsaoud and Ajlan 2013 ).…”

Approaches to Enhance Sugar Content in Foods: Is the Date Palm Fruit a Natural Alternative to Sweeteners?

“…Palm groves combat desertification, create a microclimate, preserving agrobiodiversity and support various animal species, benefiting local communities [ 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 ]. Intensive date palm cultivation brings environmental challenges, e.g., leading to soil salinization [ 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 ] or reduced livestock presence [ 102 ].…”

Traditional oases in Northern Africa as multifunctional agroforestry systems: a systematic literature review of the provided Ecosystem Services and of the main vulnerabilities

“…It is interest to notice that in the oases further and less connected to international markets there is a greater number of traditional varieties, as in Libyan oases where according to Racchi et al (2018) more than 400 different cultivars of date palms still exist, while in other countries, as in Tunisia, commercial date varieties as Deglet Nour are progressively replacing local ones (Santoro et al 2020). But traditional oases are reported to be crucial also for preserving genetic diversity and agrobiodiversity related to fruit trees (Allam and Cheloufi 2013), such as apricots (Bourguiba et al 2021(Bourguiba et al , 2012 Vol:. ( 1234567890)…”