Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2020.351.364Opuntia spp.) Ecotypes Grown in a Semi-arid Mediterranean Region]]>Azizi-GannouniThouraya AmmariYoussef BoudhinaSarra AlbouchiAli 32020233Background and Objective: The cactus, Opuntia species represent a focal point in crop production that is used as a source of food, forage and soil conservation purposes. So, the main objective of this study was to study the genetic relationships between different Opuntia ecotypes, their adaptation to the Tunisian climatic conditions by changing their morphological traits and also to identify the most useful traits for discrimination among them. Materials and Methods: The genetic diversity among 45 ecotypes of Opuntia species, collected from 9 different regions of the world was investigated. This collection was assessed using the descriptors UPOV, The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Results: The obtained data were analyzed by using principal component analysis (ACP) and 3 principal component (PC) axes accounted for 58.26% of the total cumulative variation. Average linkage cluster analysis was also performed and 5 main clusters were identified. The Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica (Pr28) formed a separate group and displayed a distinct branching pattern indicating the native Tunisian originality. Conclusion: These results prove that this collection of Opuntia ecotypes must be kept as valuable genetic resources to enrich the Opuntia gene pool.]]>Arba, M., A. Falisse, R. Choukr-Allah and M. Sindic,2017Opuntia spp.: A review and some observations on three varieties in Morocco.]]>2017Wallace, R.S. and A.C. Gibson,20022002pp: 1-21pp: 1-21Anderson, E.F.,2001Pages: 776Pages: 776Reyes-Aguero, J.A. and A. Valiente-Banuet,2006Opuntia: A review.]]>64549585Pimienta-Barrios, E. and R.F. del Castillo,20022002pp: 75-90pp: 75-90Rojas-Arechiga, M. and C. Vazquez-Yanes,20004485104Nefzaoui, A. and H.B. Salem,2002581295315Salem, H.B., A. Nefzaoui and L.B. Salem,2004Opuntia ficus indica f. inermis) and oldman saltbush (Atriplex nummularia L.) as alternative supplements for growing Barbarine lambs given straw-based diets.]]>516573Florse, V.C.A. and R.J.R. Aguirre,1979Pages: 91Pages: 91Khoury, C., B. Laliberte and L. Guarino,2010ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources: A review of global crop and regional conservation strategies.]]>57625639Chessa, I. and G. Nieddu,1997Opuntia spp.).]]>1997Chessa, I., G. Nieddu, P. Serra, P. Inglese and T. La Mantia,1997Opuntia species and varieties from Italian germplasm.]]>4384556Wang, X., P. Felker, M.D. Burrow and A.H. Paterson,1999Opuntia genotypes, reflected by DNA markers.]]>3314Felker, P., S.D.C. Rodriguez, R.M. Casoliba, R. Filippini, D. Medina and R. Zapata,2005Opuntia ficus indica varieties of Mexican and Argentine origin for fruit yield and quality in Argentina.]]>60405422Badenes, M.L., J. Martinez-Calvo and G. Llacer,19981029399UPOV.,2006Opuntia sp.).]]>2006Feugang, J.M., P. Konarski, D. Zou, F.C. Stintzing and C. Zou,2006Opuntia spp.) cladodes and fruits.]]>1125742589Zimmer, K.,196617153154, (In German)Wessels, A.B.,1988Pages: 61Pages: 61Inglese, P., G. Barbera and T. La Mantia,1995Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit quality and production.]]>29455468Vila, M. and I. Gimeno,2003Opuntia species invading Mediterranean communities.]]>16718Barbera, G., P. Inglese and T. La Mantia,1994Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.).]]>58161165Camps, C., P. Guillermin, J.C. Mauget and D. Bertrand,200536387401El-Gharras, H., A. Hasib, A. Jaouad and A. El-Bouadili,2006Opuntia ficus-indica) at three stages of maturity.]]>59399Felker, P. and P. Inglese,2003Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. utilization in arid areas.]]>5131151Arba, M.,20092009pp: 215223Erre, P., I. Chessa, G. Nieddu and P.G. Jones,2009Opuntia spp. in the Mediterranean Basin.]]>7310581066