Article
Agronomy
Olfa Boussadia, Amal Omri, Nada Mzid
Summary: Tunisia is a country with poor water resources, and the situation of water scarcity could worsen due to increased drought risk. This study examined the ecophysiological behavior of different Tunisian olive cultivars under drought stress. The results showed that the relative water content of the cultivars decreased with increasing drought stress, and certain cultivars exhibited higher tolerance to drought. The study identified potential drought-tolerant cultivars that could be alternatives to the water-intensive cultivars currently grown in Tunisia.
Article
Horticulture
Hande Yilmaz-Duzyaman, Maria G. Medina-Alonso, Carlos Sanz, Ana G. Perez, Raul de la Rosa, Lorenzo Leon
Summary: This study assessed the influence of genotype and environment on the phenolic content and composition in extra virgin olive oil. The results showed that genotype had a stronger effect than environment, and there were significant variations among different cultivars. These findings suggest the feasibility of breeding new cultivars with distinctive phenolic content and composition.
Article
Plant Sciences
Chaim Engelen, Tahel Wechsler, Ortal Bakhshian, Ilan Smoly, Idan Flaks, Tamar Friedlander, Giora Ben-Ari, Alon Samach
Summary: With global warming, it is crucial to understand how warmer winters will affect olive flower induction for predicting future olive oil production sustainability. This study investigated the impact of fruit load, winter drought, and different temperature regimes on olive flower induction. The findings highlighted the importance of studying trees without previous fruit load and showed that soil water content during winter does not significantly affect flower induction. Additionally, the study proposed an efficient method to calculate accumulated chill units correlated with flower induction.
Article
Horticulture
Jinhua Li, Xinyue Ji, Zhaoshan Wang, Yanfei Zeng, Jianguo Zhang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the morphological and molecular characteristics of two inter-subspecific F-1 hybrids obtained by crossing olive cultivars with pollen donors from olive subspecies. The study identified significant differences in morphological traits between genotypes and confirmed the inter-specific hybrid nature of the two hybrids through molecular analysis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Meagan van Dyk, Christoffel F. J. Spies, Lizel Mostert, Marieta van der Rijst, Ihan L. du Plessis, Providence Moyo, Wynand J. van Jaarsveld, Francois Halleen
Summary: A recent survey in South Africa identified several fungi associated with olive trunk disease symptoms, some of which had not been reported before. Pathogenicity tests were conducted to determine the virulence of these species, with some showing significant lesions on olive branches. Pseudophaeomoniella globosa was identified as one of the main olive trunk pathogens due to its high incidence and virulence in trials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra Martins, Ermelinda Silva, Catia Brito, Carlos Martins-Gomes, Alexandre Goncalves, Margarida Arrobas, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues, Carlos M. Correia, Fernando M. Nunes
Summary: Soil degradation and climate change pose threats to rainfed olive orchards in the Mediterranean, but the use of soil amendments can improve soil fertility and enhance crop yield and olive oil quality.
Article
Plant Sciences
Meagan Van Dyk, Christoffel F. J. Spies, Lizel Mostert, Francois Halleen
Summary: This study reveals that pruning debris serves as an inoculum source of P. globosa in established olive orchards in South Africa. It emphasizes the importance of reducing the inoculum sources of this pathogen as an additional management strategy against olive trunk diseases.
Review
Plant Sciences
Rogerio Melloni, Elke J. B. N. Cardoso
Summary: International research has focused on studying the effects of different management practices in olive cultivation on soil. Both conventional techniques, such as using herbicides and machines to control weeds, inorganic fertilizers, and pesticides, and sustainable techniques, including pruning, the use of disease and climate-tolerant cultivars, organic conditioners, maintaining vegetation cover and using inoculants, have been examined. The impacts on soil quality, crop development, and production are evaluated by studying the presence, activity, and behavior of microorganisms in the soil or directly in the crop.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christina Skodra, Vaia Styliani Titeli, Michail Michailidis, Christos Bazakos, Ioannis Ganopoulos, Athanassios Molassiotis, Georgia Tanou
Summary: The olive tree is the most important perennial crop in the Mediterranean region, but olive drupe research has received less attention. Olive drupe ripening is a complex process involving numerous physiological and molecular changes. The application of -omics techniques provides a systematic description of olive fruit development and ripening.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Adel M. Al-Saif, Muhammad Moaaz Ali, Ahmed B. S. Ben Hifaa, Walid F. A. Mosa
Summary: Salinity is a major global abiotic stress that affects plants negatively. The use of biostimulants can enhance plant nutrition, nutrient uptake, crop yield, and tolerance to abiotic stress. This study examined the effect of foliar application of biostimulants on olive trees under salt stress, and found that the application of MLE and SWE significantly improved various aspects of olive tree performance.
Article
Entomology
Elissa Daher, Elena Chierici, Stefania Urbani, Nicola Cinosi, Gabriele Rondoni, Maurizio Servili, Franco Famiani, Eric Conti
Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species that causes damage to olives. This study evaluated the impact of this pest on olive fruit drop and analyzed the chemical composition of injured and healthy fruits.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Carolina Sanchez-Romero
Summary: Somatic embryogenesis in olive is a pivotal in vitro technique with various biotechnological applications, but faces challenges in practical implementation. This editorial paper focuses on summarizing the contributions and discussing future research prospects in this field.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pilar Luaces, Mar Pascual, Ana G. Perez, Carlos Sanz
Summary: Virgin olive oil is closely associated with the antioxidant and health-promoting properties of the Mediterranean diet due to its phenolic compounds. A convenient and sensitive spectrophotometric method was developed for quantifying total phenolic compounds in olive fruits. The method can provide a precise estimate of the antioxidant and functional properties of olive oil by examining the phenolic content of the olive fruit.
Article
Horticulture
Ermelinda Silva, Alexandre Goncalves, Sandra Martins, Luis Pinto, Luis Rocha, Helena Ferreira, Jose Moutinho-Pereira, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues, Carlos M. Correia
Summary: A three-year study found that the application of nitrogen fertilizer can prolong the coloration period of olive fruits, but can also reduce the quality of the oil, especially in high doses. Moderate nitrogen rates can ensure the quality and stability of the oil.
Article
Agronomy
Beligh Mechri, Naoufel Ben Hamadi, Ahlem Guesmi, Ammar Houas, Hechmi Chehab, Faouzi Attia
Summary: Phosphorus deficiency in alkaline soils is a major constraint to olive production. The high cost of phosphorus fertilizers could be a major obstacle in many countries, making the use of rock phosphate (RP) the only affordable long-term alternative. This study investigated the long-term effects of agronomic application of RP on microbial groups in the olive rhizosphere, nutrient uptake, and oil accumulation in the fruit. The results showed that RP application increased fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biomarkers for Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and actinobacteria in the rhizosphere.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Hadiah Fattal, Tielyr D. Creason, Cordell J. Delzer, Aymen Yangui, Jason P. Hayward, Bradley J. Ross, Mao-Hua Du, Daniel T. Glatzhofer, Bayrammurad Saparov
Summary: A new zero-dimensional hybrid organic-inorganic halide, RInBr4, has been investigated for its bright-blue emission and high photoluminescence quantum yield.
The organic component is responsible for the observed blue emission of the hybrid material.
This novel hybrid indium bromide demonstrates significantly improved environmental stability, paving the way for potential applications in light emission.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Samia Dabbou, Samira Maatallah, Andrea Antonelli, Giuseppe Montevecchi
Summary: This study investigated the changes in amino acid profiles in peach leaves with respect to leaf age, finding that young leaves contained higher amounts of most amino acids compared to mature leaves, with similar amino acid contents across different cultivars. The results suggest that peach leaves are a rich source of amino acids and warrant further exploration for potential applications in various industries.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Kiligaridis, Pavel A. Frantsuzov, Aymen Yangui, Sudipta Seth, Jun Li, Qingzhi An, Yana Vaynzof, Ivan G. Scheblykin
Summary: Metal halide perovskites are an important class of emerging semiconductors, but their charge carrier dynamics is not well understood. Researchers have developed an advanced technique to examine the validity of models used to understand the charge dynamics in perovskites.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanfeng Liu, Aymen Yangui, Rui Zhang, Alexander Kiligaridis, Ellen Moons, Feng Gao, Olle Inganas, Ivan G. Scheblykin, Fengling Zhang
Summary: This study uses in situ spectroscopies to track the morphology evolution during film formation of different BHJ systems, revealing that the component with higher molecular weight dominates the blend film formation process. Time-resolved photoluminescence is employed for the first time as an in situ method for drying studies, providing quantitative determination of dynamic and static quenching as well as changes in quantum yield during film formation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Maria Lisa Clodoveo, Ahmed Yangui, Mahdi Fendri, Simona Giordano, Pasquale Crupi, Filomena Corbo
Summary: Tunisia is one of the largest olive oil-producing countries in the world, with the largest certified organic olive-producing areas. The objective of the paper is to evaluate the impact of geographical indications on the olive oil industry and propose five strategic guidelines to support sustainable development goals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monia Guizani, Samia Dabbou, Samira Maatallah, Giuseppe Montevecchi, Andrea Antonelli, Maria Serrano, Hichem Hajlaoui, Mourad Rezig, Soumaya Kilani-Jaziri
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of two water shortage strategies on the phenolic profile and antioxidant activities of four Prunus persica L. cultivars. The results showed that deficit irrigation improved the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities, with O'Henry cultivar displaying the highest phenolic amounts and best antioxidant activity under cyclic deficit irrigation.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hichem Hajlaoui, Samira Maatallah, Monia Guizani, Nour El Houda Boughattas, Anis Guesmi, Mustapha Ennajeh, Samia Dabbou, Felicie Lopez-Lauri
Summary: Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies are important for saving irrigation water. The effects of RDI on the growth, photosynthesis, fruit yield, and quality traits of three plum cultivars in Central Tunisia were assessed. Results showed that the three cultivars had varying degrees of response time to drought stress, with a slight decrease in growth and fruit weight but improved soluble solid content and firmness.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samia Dabbou, Emna El Golli-Bennour, Ines Skandrani, Asma Kassab
Summary: This study describes the delivery of online biochemistry laboratories to undergraduate students and evaluates its advantages and disadvantages at a dental medicine faculty in Tunisia. Most students actively participated in the activities, but there was lower participation in forums and workshops. Students performed better in the first and second exams. Forums, workshops, and videos were identified as important teaching tools for successful online laboratory instruction.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Emna ElGolli-Bennour, Asma KassabnAff, Samia Dabbou
Summary: This study investigated the acceptance of online biochemistry laboratories among students at the Monastir Faculty of Dental Medicine. The results showed that students generally found the course presentations satisfactory, approved of interactions in virtual classrooms, and were satisfied with the availability of teachers. However, they were not fully prepared for online learning and preferred a combination of face-to-face and online learning after the pandemic.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Bouali Guesmi, Ahmed Yangui, Ibtissem Taghouti, Jose Maria Gil
Summary: Cereal, oilseed, and protein (COP) production is important for sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Tunisia. Crop diversity can lead to inefficient resource use, and the COP sector has low productivity levels due to weather conditions. This study used data envelopment analysis (DEA) to assess the relationship between land use patterns and farm efficiency. Specialized COP farms showed higher technical efficiency levels than mixed cropping systems, indicating room for reducing inefficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Amira Oueslati, Samia Dabbou, Nosra Methneni, Giuseppe Montevecchi, Vincenzo Nava, Rossana Rando, Giovanni Bartolomeo, Andrea Antonelli, Giuseppa Di Bella, Hedi Ben Mansour
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of poultry meat industry wastewater on irrigating olive trees and its impact on pomological criteria and olive oil quality. The results showed that irrigating olive trees with diluted poultry wastewater can improve pomological criteria and obtain olive oil with higher oil content. Poultry wastewater irrigation also increases the content of polyphenols in the oil. However, heavy metals accumulation was observed in both fruits and olive oil when using poultry wastewater for irrigation. In conclusion, poultry wastewater is the best alternative to improve olive oil quality among the water qualities compared in this study.
Article
Horticulture
Showkat A. Zargar, Aijaz A. Wani, M. I. S. Saggoo, Neeraj Kumar, Javid Iqbal Mir, Sumira Jan, S. Dabbou
Summary: This study assessed the chemical quality attributes, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity of 37 wild and cultivated apricot accessions. It was found that there was significant variation among the accessions in terms of chemical quality attributes, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity. The wild accessions exhibited the highest fruit quality attributes and antioxidant capacities. This information will be valuable for future apricot breeding programs and health promotion.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Monia Guizani, Samira Maatallah, Samia Dabbou, Giuseppe Montevecchi, Andrea Antonelli, Maria Serrano, Hichem Hajlaoui, Soumaya Kilani-Jaziri
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in fruit quality during different ripening stages of five peach cultivars and found that the fruits harvested during the early ripening stage had the highest phenolic acid content, best antioxidant enzyme activities, and lowest oxidative stress indicator.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shraddha M. Rao, Alexander Kiligaridis, Aymen Yangui, Qingzhi An, Yana Vaynzof, Ivan G. Scheblykin
Summary: Defects in metal halide perovskites (MHP) exhibit photosensitivity, causing the observer effect in laser spectroscopy. The creation and healing of defects lead to transient phenomena such as photoluminescence (PL) bleaching and enhancement. The use of the dependence of PL quantum yield (PLQY) on laser pulse repetition rate and pulse fluence as a unique fingerprint of charge carrier dynamics and defect evolution is demonstrated. Automatic PLQY mapping can be used as a universal method for assessing the quality of perovskite samples.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Karima Lahbib, Fethi Bnejdi, Gaetano Pandino, Sara Lombardo, Mohamed El-Gazzah, Safia El-Bok, Samia Dabbou
Summary: The relationship between fruit position, ripening stage, and variety was examined in pepper plants, showing that capsaicin content was mainly influenced by genetics, while total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity were more affected by the ripening stage and fruit position. Ripening stage had a significant impact on various agronomic traits. Variety, fruit position, and ripening stage effects were more significant than interactions among these factors.
