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

Abstract

Introduction. Algerian oasesare characterized by a diversification of local fruit species andcultivars. However, this diversity is subject to erosion. To preservethe genetic heritage, we undertook the first work on the inventoryof fruit species crops in the region of Touggourt in south-easternAlgeria. Materials and methods. Our working methodswere based on surveys carried out on farms in the Oued Righ regionaccording to a questionnaire that met our objectives. For this,we divided the study region into three zones and in each zone weselected ten farms for the inventory of fruit species cultivated. Results and discussion. The results of our investigationsallowed us to identify thirteen species, including four specieswith a wide distribution (pomegranate tree, apricot tree, fig treeand vine). The local genetic diversity of these species is littleknown. The varieties or cultivars inventoried have local names givenby the farmers in the region according to certain morphologicalcharacteristics of the fruit. We surveyed five cultivars for thefig tree, two cultivars for the pomegranate tree, two cultivarsfor the vine, and two apricot tree cultivars. The study of the biodiversityof fruit trees in the Oued Righ region showed high richness of thespecies and cultivars; some are local and others are endemic tothe region. Better knowledge of genetic diversity will begin withtests of behavior and characterization of the different genotypes encounteredto dispel the ambiguities and to highlight the actual compositionof populations or varieties of different species.