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Fatty acid desaturase (FAD) is the key enzyme that leads to the formation of unsaturated fatty acids by introducing double bonds into hydrocarbon chains, and it plays a critical role in plant lipid metabolism. However, no data are available on enzyme-associated genes in argan trees. In addition, a candidate gene approach was adopted to identify and characterize the gene sequences of interest that are potentially involved in oil quality and abiotic stress. Based on phylogenetic analyses, 18 putative FAD genes of Argania spinosa L. (AsFAD) were identified and assigned to three subfamilies: stearoyl-ACP desaturase (SAD), Δ-12 desaturase (FAD 2/ FAD 6), and Δ-15 desaturase (FAD 3/ FAD 7). Furthermore, gene structure and motif analyses revealed a conserved exon-intron organization among FAD members belonging to the various oil crops studied, and they exhibited conserved motifs within each subfamily. In addition, the gene structure shows a wide variation in intron numbers, ranging from 0 to 8, with two highly conserved intron phases (0 and 1). The AsFAD and AsSAD subfamilies consist of three (H(X)2-4H, H(X)2-3HH, and H/Q (X)2-3HH) and two (EEN(K)RHG and DEKRHE) conserved histidine boxes, respectively. A set of primer pairs were designed for each FAD gene, and tested on DNA extracted from argan leaves, in which all amplicons of the expected size were produced. These findings of candidate genes in A spinosa L. will provide valuable knowledge that further enhances our understanding of the potential roles of FAD genes in the quality of oil and abiotic stress in the argan tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durum wheat is a staple food in the Mediterranean Basin, mostly cultivated under rainfed conditions. As such, the crop is often exposed to moisture stress. Therefore, the identification of genetic factors controlling the capacity of genotypes to convert moisture into grain yield (i.e. water productivity) is quintessential to stabilize production despite climatic variations. A global panel of 384 accessions was tested across 18 Mediterranean environments (in Morocco, Lebanon, and Jordan) representing a vast range of moisture levels. The accessions were assigned to water responsiveness classes, with genotypes 'Responsive to Low Moisture' reaching an average +1.5 kg ha–1 mm–1 yield advantage. Genome wide association studies revealed that six loci explained most of this variation. A second validation panel tested under moisture stress confirmed that carrying the positive allele at three loci on chromosomes 1B, 2A, and 7B generated an average water productivity gain of +2.2 kg ha–1 mm–1. These three loci were tagged by kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers, and these were used to screen a third independent validation panel composed of elites tested across moisture stressed sites. The three KASP combined predicted up to 10% of the variation for grain yield at 60% accuracy. These loci are now ready for molecular pyramiding and transfer across cultivars to improve the moisture conversion of durum wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an essential role in enhancing plant growth, health and yield. In this study, we describe the isolation of PGPR associated with the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) grown in three Moroccan regions of Zouala, Errachidia, and Essaouira. In these regions, we isolated 95 PGPRs from rhizosphere of Olive trees, 78% of them were characterized by their tolerance to a salinity of 4-11%. We also found that 39% of these PGPRs were phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) with a solubilization ability greater than 100 µg/mL. In fact, Pantoea agglomerans (MRC_ZO_17) and Enterobacter ludwigii (MRC_ZO_97), showed the highest phosphate solubilization rates of ~450 µg/ mL and ~196 µg/mL, respectively. In addition to their ability to solubilize phosphate, various isolates had the ability to produce Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). For instance, E. ludwigii (MRC_ZO_97) had an IAA production of ~60.48 g/mL. In the region of Zouala, characterized by relatively higher salinity and lower rate of organic matter, Firmicutes isolates account for 87% of the isolated rhizobacteria. Interestingly, we found that the olive tree-associated PGPRs vary significantly between the three sampled regions. Several rhizobacteria isolated in this study are excellent candidates for formulation as bioinocula for plants in saline soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the development and fine-tuning of a mm-wave MPA (microstrip patch antenna) featuring silo slots. The starting design parameters are computed using established formulas relevant to patch antenna construction. The antenna is simulated on a substrate with specific material properties, utilizing Rogers 5058 substrate material characterized by a (a) of 2.2 and a tangent-loss of 0.0009. A comparative analysis is conducted to showcase the simulated performance of the presented silo-antenna using HFSS with its equivalent circuit model implemented in AWR. This involves meticulous adjustment of components to achieve the desired characteristics. The article traces the evolutionary phases of the antenna's design, highlighting geometric modifications and alterations to the ground plane. Further, it elaborates on the resonant frequencies of the antenna and offers a comparative assessment of the Su parameter between AWR and HFSS simulations, revealing strong agreement. The proposed antenna maintains an at- tractive size of 14 mm x 12 mm and it operates at dual operating bands resonating at 28.1 GHz and 37.9 GHz, Variations in gain for different design iterations are scrutinized and finally the peak gains of 5.2 dBi and 6.5 dBi are attained for the suggested antenna at the operating frequencies of 28 and 37.9 GHz, respectively along with desired radiation patterns in E and H planes at distinct frequencies. The suggested antenna is suitable for 5G applications supporting 28/38 GHz bands in mm-wave spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]