Marked effects of genotype on wheat anther culture response have been observed. Genetic factors have been recognised to be one of the major contributors to in vitro responses of cultured wheat tissues. In wheat anther culture, embryo induction, plant regeneration and albina/green ratio have been determined to be heritable traits. Using Chinese Spring (CS) monosomic 1D, single chromosome substitution lines of chromosome 5B or chromosome arm 5BL from Chinese Spring into six varieties, and F1 hybrids heterozygous for the 1B chromosome structure (1BL-1BS/1BL-1RS), the anther culture response was studied: genes on CS1D chromosome and 5BL chromosome arm increases the embryo frequency; gene(s) involved in regeneration ability are located on the 1RS chromosome arm; a gene increasing albina frequency is located on Chinese Spring 5B chromosome. Our results support the fact that without gametic selection, a differential development occurred from the particular classes of microspores carrying genes for higher regeneration ability. Moreover, in some crosses, a few genes with major effects were involved in determination of anther culture response.

The production of natural fibers is not sufficient to accommodate the textile needs of the growing world population. Therefore, textile research is exploring alternative natural resources to produce fibers. Though typically known for its nutritional use, the sugarcane can also be used for textile production because of its high fiber content. The aim of our study was to extract fibers from sugarcane and to analyze their mechanical behavior. Cane particles were treated with an alkaline solution in order to get cellulosic fibers. Physical and mechanical characterizations were carried out on these fibers: linear density, fineness, tensile properties, and bending rigidity. Their microstructure was analyzed to better understand their behavior. The results showed a strong influence of extraction parameters on the characteristics of fibers. Depending on these parameters, fibers fineness ranged from 8 to 80 tex, length ranged from 19 to 62 mm, and tenacity ranged from 7 and 25 cN/tex.

Depuis les années 1970, le coton a été un moteur dans la transformation des systèmes de production agricole et un élément structurant des économies locales dans les savanes d’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre (AOC). Cependant, la durabilité des systèmes de production à base de coton est souvent mise en débat à cause de leurs effets sur les sols et des impacts négatifs de la lutte chimique sur l’environnement et la santé humaine. Au moyen de réformes drastiques, le secteur coton en AOC a surmonté les crises, montrant sa capacité de résilience. Aujourd’hui, ce secteur est confronté à des défis importants sur lesquels la recherche doit se mobiliser : (i) économiques (volatilité des prix, revenus des producteurs, bien-être des communautés), (ii) sociaux (inclusion des couches vulnérables, rôle des femmes et des jeunes, etc.) et (iii) environnementaux (santé humaine, impact des pesticides, dégradation des sols, etc.) et liés au changement climatique. Ce numéro thématique présente des résultats et perspectives de travaux de recherche pouvant contribuer à améliorer la durabilité des systèmes cotonniers en AOC, à ouvrir des pistes vers une transition agro-écologique et à faire face aux nouveaux défis.