M. HAMMAMI ^1*

H. ROUISSI ¹

H. SELMI ²

¹Laboratory of Improvement and Integrated Development of Animal Productivity and Food Resources, Higher School of Agriculture of Mateur, University of Carthage, Tunisia

²Regional Center of the Agricultural Researches of Beja, 9000 Beja, Tunisia.

Abstract - This study aim to evaluate the effect of using local feed resources (Faba bean, Barley, White sorghum) as an alternative to imported resources ( Soya bean, Corn) in the concentrates formulation for dairy sheep on the milk performances of sicilo-sarde dairy ewes during the suckling period (10 weeks). In the first experiment thirty ewes were divided into two homogenous groups for live weight (51.3 kg ± 5.7 vs 52 kg ± 5.4), the rank of lactation (2.4 ± 0.5 vs. 2.6 ± 0.8) and litter size (1.46 ± 0.9vs. 1.5 ± 0.5). Animals were lodged in similar boxes and received 1.5 kg/ewe/day of oat hay. Ration was complemented by 500 g of one of two concentrates. (i) The first concentrate contained 82.5 % barley, 13.5% soybean meal and 4% vitamin and mineral mixture (VMC) for the control group (CG) and (ii) a second concentrate that included 71.5 % barley, 17.5% Faba bean meal,7% Soybean meal and 4 % VMC for the experimental group (EG). In the second experiment a total of 20 ewes were divided into two homogenous groups for live weight (33.83 ± 5.63 vs33.95 ± 5.58 kg), the rank of lactation (4.3 ± 1.25 vs.4.6 ± 0.96) and litter size (1.1 ± 0.31vs 1.15 ± 0.4). Animals were lodged in similar boxes and received 1.5 kg DM /ewe/day of oat hay. Ration was complemented by one of two concentrates : (i) 500g/ewe/day of a concentrate that incuded 10 % barley, 43.3 % corn,25 % Wheat bran, 17,7 % soybean meal, 4% and mineral and vitamin mixture for the control group (CG) and (ii) a second concentrate that included 66% white sorghum, 30% Faba bean meal and 4% vitamin mixture for the experimental group (EG). Ewes remained on the experiment until 10 weeks post-partum. In each expériment results showed that daily milk yield was higher (p< 0.05) in ewes fed the EG concentrate than in those fed the CG supplement (1115 ± 383.7 ml vs 987 ± 281.7 ml) and (545 ± 183 ml vs 468 ± 148 ml ) in the first and the second experiment, respectively. Likewise, milk fat content was higher (p< 0.05) for the EG ewe group (5.67 ± 0.98 % vs 5.40 ± 1.04 %) and (7.58 ± 0.6 % vs 7.21 ± 0.4 %) in the first an second experiment, respectively. The protein content did not differ between the two groups (EG:5.59 ± 0.19 % and 6.04±0.57 % , CG: 5.58± 0.21% and 5.86 ± 0.54%). On the other hand, the amount of lactose was lower (p < 0.05) in the CG groups (3.80 ± 0.09 and 3.48 ± 0.21) than that in the EG groups ( 3.86 ± 0.08 and 3.61± 0.13). It is possible to replace Soybean and corn by Fababean and White sorghum in the Sicilo- Sarde ration without compromising either quality and milk production.

Key words : Barley / Ewes / Faba bean / dairy sheep / Sicilo-Sarde / Soybean / Milk yield / Milk quality / Milk performances / Suckling.

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Z. Chamekh ^1*

S. Ayed ²

A. Sahli ¹

S. Ayadi ¹

Z. Hammemi ¹

S. Jallouli ¹

Y. Trifa ¹

H. Amara ¹

¹ Genetic and Plant Breeding Laboratory, Department of Agronomy and Biotechnology, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, 43, Avenue Charles Nicole, 1082 Tunis, Tunisia.

² Regional Research Development Office of Agriculture in Semi Arid North West of Kef, Tunisia.

Abstract - Salt stress is considered to be a major limiting factor for plant growth and crop productivity. In this study, effect of salinity on leaf area, ion accumulation (Na⁺, K⁺) and component yield (grain number per spike, 1000 grain weight, number of spikes per m² and grain yield) were investigated in twenty five genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) cultivated in three different regions in Tunisia center (Echbika, Barrouta and Sidi Bouzide). These sites differ by their salinity degree in the irrigation water respectively 2.1 (control), 4.3 and 5.2 g/l. As a result salt stress the flag leaf area decreased significantly for the most of genotypes with the increase of stress treatments except “Mahmoudi, Om Rabia, N, Maali, Khiar and Jneh Khotifa”. Na⁺ concentrations increased with increase in salinity but K⁺ concentration was lower as salinity levels increased for all cultivars expect “Mahmoudi” and “Hamira” cultivars. Thus, less Na⁺ accumulation and more K⁺ content in these genotypes at the highest salt level, confirm salt tolerance of these cultivars. Grain number per spike, 1000 grain weight, number of spikes per m² and grain yield showed a reduction with increase in root zone Stalinization but the effect was varied in different durum wheat genotypes. It was concluded that the conservation of the leaf area and a low concentration of Na⁺ in the flag leaf will improve the salt tolerance of wheat genotypes in breeding programs.

Key words: durum wheat / salinity / tolerance / genotype / site.

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