Fatima Gaboune’s scientific contributions

In this study, 15 morphological descriptors were used to characterize and to determine the genetic diversity of the olive tree in the region of Ouazzane, represented by 21 local and foreign cultivars and suspected clones of Picholine Marocaine and types of oleasters. Relating to the organs, the discriminating potential of the fruit characters was higher than that of the endocarp and leaf characters. The similarity index of Rogers Tanimoto between varieties and the studied local types ranged from a minimum of 56, 66% to a maximum of 100%. Picual individuals of Ouazzane and Mjaara areas are similar for all 15 discriminating characters. The same observation was noted for the Picholine Marocaine individuals' type M6, S1 and S2. The individuals Ascolana tenera of Sidi Bousber and Ouazzane areas are also identical. Traditional varieties (Bouchouk Laghlide, Bouchouk Rkike, Bakhboukh Beldi, Bouchouika and Dahbia) were identified by a distinct phenotype, with a tendency to morphological similarity between the two varieties Bouchouika and Bouchouk Rkike. Similarly, six types of local oleaster have been identified by many different phenotypic characters and the majority showed an interesting oil contents. locality are close geographically and genetically and they may have a common origin. These results guarantee to renovate an anxious olive cultivation to preserve and to enhance the existing genetic diversity and the valorization of the typicality of its obtained products.

In Morocco, the sour orange is the rootstock the mostly used in citrus orchard. This position is acquired because of its good adaptation vis-à-vis the Moroccan soil conditions of the regions characterized by the high alkalinity and salinity. However, the spread of CTV in the Mediterranean Basin will soon prohibit the use of traditional rootstock (sour orange). Therefore, the profile of plant material used for the planting of new citrus orchards is changing. To date, studies dealing with the optimization of nitrogen fertilization and selection of the most efficient rootstock in terms of nitrogen use in the production of citrus plants in good quality at the nursery are very important. To finalize the selection of rootstocks revealing performance in terms of adaptation to soil and climatic conditions, their evaluation on the efficiency of input use is of paramount importance. Objective: The main objective of this study is the evaluation of the alternative rootstocks to sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) in terms of nitrogen usage. Material and methods: This study was carried out in greenhouses at the Experimental station of El Menzeh INRA Morocco. The six rootstocks tested are: citrange Carrizo, citrange C35, Citrus volkameriana B2 28613, Citrus macrophylla, Citrumelo 4475 AB6 A4 and sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.). These seedlings rootstocks aged three months were grown in plastic pots (3L). Nitrogen was added to the nutrient solution modified Hoagland and Arnon (1950), at four doses: T1 (0 mM of N), T2 (1 mM N), T3 (5 mM N) and T4 (10 mM N) for each rootstock. Different doses of nitrogen were applied once a week over a period of three months at 0.5 liter per plant. The experimental design adopted was a split-plot design with three replications. Results: The results of this study showed that there is variability in response between the rootstocks studied vis-à-vis the nitrogen.Citrus volkameriana B2 28613, Citrus macrophylla and Citrumelo 4475 AB6 A4 recorded the highest values of number of leaves per plant, diameter of the collar, the final height of the stem, total leaf area and fresh and dry weight of different organs (stem, leaves and root). Citrus volkameriana B2 28613 and Citrus macrophylla showed the highest percentages of relative water content. The rootstock Carrizo citrange showed the highest content of total chlorophyll (SPAD) and total soluble sugars (TSS). Also, Citrus macrophylla had the stomatal conductance and concentration of the highest total chlorophyll in leaves. Citrus volkameriana B2 28613 and Citrus macrophylla have accumulated higher levels of nitrogen in leaves. Conclusion: Citrus volkameriana B2 28613, Citrus macrophylla and citrumelo 4475 AB6 A4 rootstocks are most efficient in terms of nitrogen use in the nursery stage and that the dose T3 (5 mM of N) proved to be optimal for the production of good quality plants to rootstocks at nursery stage.