The unit
The Merbah-Ouargla Kasdi University, founded in 1988, currently consists of 10 faculties; each has several departments in accordance with applicable rules. The Rector of the University kasdi merbah Ouargla is located on the road of Ghardaia.
Three large campuses comprise the main architecture of the University. Since 05 September 2005, the University now bears the name “University Kasdi Merbah Ouargla”.
One of the faculties includet in the university is the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life (FSNV). This includes a Department of Biological Sciences and a Department of Agricultural Sciences. The faculty also has three research laboratories: Laboratoire de protection des écosystèmes en zones arides et semi arides , Laboratoire de Bio-ressources sahariennes: préservation et valorisation and Laboratoire de Recherche sur la Phœniciculture.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
Within this project, the main activities of UO will be aimed at the deep characterization of some landraces and natural breeding lines selected from the local desert durum wheat germplasm as they displayed tolerance to heat, drought and salinity stress in the Sahara region.
These lines will be deeply characterized for germination rates and proper plant growth under salinity, drought heat stresses both under controlled conditions and in open field conditions.
Present project will benefit from this information from local desert genotypes of durum wheat (T. durum L.) in order to transfer this knowledge to other species. In strict collaboration with UNIMI; UO will identify key markers to response mechanisms to abiotic stresses of durum wheat genotypes and will uncover alleles of interest already present in Saharan Wheat cultivars tolerant to abiotic stresses that can be incorporated into rice.
