Morphological variability of prickly pear cultivars (Opuntia spp.) established in ex-situ collection in Tunisia

摘要: Abstract Belonging to the succulent plants’ family, Cactaceae, Barbary fig tree (Opuntia ficus-indica) is an excellent arid-resistant species, implicated in erosion control. In Tunisia, one of country's main fruit mainly used for its edible fruits. Thus, forty-eight ecotypes belonging four species Opuntia genus ficus-indica, engelmannii, tomentosa and undulata), were collected from INRAT collection northern Tunisia. order conduct a morphological study aiming estimate morphologic variation degree, 63 phenotypic characteristics that comprised 30 quantitative 33 qualitative traits recorded trees, cladodes, flowers fruits detected. Based on parameters separately, results dendrograms consistent with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Multiple Correspondence analysis (MCA) results. These analyses showed variables: (the mean number seeds per fruit, areolas cladode, at cladode border weight) three (cladode shape, pulp color color) are most discriminating differentiation between studied species. Indeed, classified independently their geographical origins corresponding this study, fourteen revealed using one-way variance (ANOVA). For variables; Z test, Kruskal-Wallis test chi-square performed non-significant values conclusion, our very high level variability great similarity O. ficus-indica engelmannii will be useful genetic breeding conservation programs.