Farsetia Aegyptia Research Articles

Planting methods influence revegetation success of native species in an arid environment

In Kuwait, declining native vegetation cover due to prevailing arid conditions and severe anthropogenic disturbances necessitated undertaking revegetation programs. Seed sowing and outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings are the two major plant establishment methods commonly used all around the world. However, the success of plant establishment methods may vary between the species as well as between the methods. Therefore, we compared the effect of sowing of primed or non-primed seeds and outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings on field performance of four dominant native desert species of Kuwait: Vachellia pachyceras, Rhanterium epapposum, Farsetia aegyptia, and Haloxylon salicornicum for 22 months to find the best method for revegetation in arid conditions. A significant species and treatment interaction effect was observed in all plant parameters except plot volume index. Direct sowing of hydro-primed seeds appeared to be the most effective method for establishment and growth of V. pachyceras. In contrast, outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings showed better performance under the field conditions in H. salicornicum and F. aegyptia. These results suggest that direct sowing of primed seeds can also be used effectively along with seedling outplanting for the revegetation of arid lands.

Effects of Salt Stress on Growth, Proline and Mineral Content in Native Desert Species

Implementing large-scale restoration programs requires in-depth understanding about the salinity tolerance of native species, especially in the Arabian Peninsula where salinity is one of the most serious problems. Seedlings of four native species, namely Vachillea pachyceras, Haloxylon salicornicum, Rhanterium epapposum, and Farsetia aegyptia, were subjected to different salinity treatments (1.6 (control), 3, 5, 7, and 10 dS/m). Survival, growth performance, biomass and proline accumulation were assessed after six months of salinity exposure. Different mineral concentrations in the shoot and root tissues were assessed before and after the salinity exposure. Our results showed that salinity influenced the growth parameters, enhanced proline accumulation and changed the contents of essential elements. However, the effects of salinity stress on the growth and other parameters were largely species-specific. Proline accumulation increased with an increase in the salinity level in all the species. However, the mineral content in the root and shoot tissues showed variation, depending on the species and the level of salinity stress. Overall. H. salicornicum appeared to be the most tolerant species, as its seedling survival (100% at EC 10), and root and shoot biomass were impacted minimally; meanwhile, F. aegyptia (16.7% seedling survival at EC 10) appeared to be highly sensitive to the salinity. Data generated from this study will be helpful in screening the suitable species according to their salinity tolerance in salt-affected areas.

Glucosinolates with their Hydrolysis Products from Two Cruciferous Plants with Study of Antidiabetic Activity Based on Molecular Docking

Glucosinolates (Gls) are natural bioactive compounds that form metabolites called isothiocyanates (ITC) which have various therapeutic effects. This study aimed to isolate the glucosinolates of Carrichtera annua L.(DC) (CA) and Farsetia aegyptia Turra (FA) belonging to the Crucifereae family. Total Gls were isolated from the aqueous methanolic extract of the plants and further purified using an acidic aluminum oxide column. Some of the obtained Gls were identified via spectroscopic methods (UV, NMR, and MS) and the rest were hydrolyzed by myrosinase to the corresponding isothiocyanates (ITC) for identification by GC/MS. Only one Gls was identified in CA as 4-methylthio-3-butenyl Gls (MTBG) in addition to 6-methyl sulfonylhexyl isothiocyanates (ITC), while 6-methyl sulfonyl-6-hydroxy hexyl ITC, 4-pentenyl ITC, 3-methylthio propyl ITC, 5-hydroxy pentyl ITC and 4-methylsulphinyl butyl ITC were identified in FA. The Gls demonstrated high binding activity to α-glucosidase and amylase, good pharmacokinetic characteristics, and exerted no carcinogenetic effects.

Effects of salinity on native shrubs and one near extinct tree species of Kuwait: potentials for restoring degraded desert ecosystem

In view of the rapidly declining native plant cover due to existing harsh climate and uncontrolled grazing, Kuwait has undertaken initiatives to revegetate the desert land with native species to improve plant cover, soil stabilization, biodiversity and ecological processes. Because of the high temperature during long summer months and sandy soil types, transplanted seedlings are irrigated regularly, mostly with brackish groundwater. This study was undertaken to evaluate survival, growth and proline accumulation of transplanted Vachellia pachyceras, Rhanterium epapposum, Farsetia aegyptia and Haloxylon salicornicum seedlings that were irrigated with four levels of saline water ranging from EC 1.6 to 5.5 dS/m for 14 months. Irrigation with different salinity levels had no significant effect on seedlings survival in V. pachyceras, H. salicornicum and R. epapposum while F. aegyptia exhibited only 38% survival under brackish water irrigation. Total plant biomass declined with increasing salinity in irrigation water except in R. epapposum. However, salinity of irrigation water did not increase proline content. Present results suggest that revegetation involving these four native species can be implemented using brackish groundwater with salinity level up to EC of 5.5 dS/m in arid and semiarid regions where freshwater is scarce and need for revegetation is critically important.

Divulging diazotrophic bacterial community structure in Kuwait desert ecosystems and their N2-fixation potential.

Kuwait is a semi-arid region with soils that are relatively nitrogen-poor. Thus, biological nitrogen fixation is an important natural process in which N2-fixing bacteria (diazotrophs) convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable forms such as ammonium and nitrate. Currently, there is limited information on free-living and root-associated nitrogen-fixing bacteria and their potential to fix nitrogen and aid natural plant communities in the Kuwait desert. In this study, free living N2-fixing diazotrophs were enriched and isolated from the rhizosphere soil associated with three native keystone plant species; Rhanterium epapposum, Farsetia aegyptia, and Haloxylon salicornicum. Root-associated bacteria were isolated from the root nodules of Vachellia pachyceras. The result showed that the strains were clustered in five groups represented by class: γ-proteobacteria, and α-proteobacteria; phyla: Actinobacteria being the most dominant, followed by phyla: Firmicutes, and class: β-proteobacteria. This study initially identified 50 nitrogen-fixers by16S rRNA gene sequencing, of which 78% were confirmed to be nitrogen-fixers using the acetylene reduction assay. Among the nitrogen fixers identified, the genus Rhizobium was predominant in the rhizosphere soil of R. epapposum and H. salicornicum, whereas Pseudomonas was predominant in the rhizosphere soil of F. aegyptia, The species Agrobacterium tumefaciens was mainly found to be dominant among the root nodules of V. pachyceras and followed by Cellulomonas, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas genera as root-associated bacteria. The variety of diazotrophs revealed in this study, signifying the enormous importance of free-living and root-associated bacteria in extreme conditions and suggesting potential ecological importance of diazotrophs in arid ecosystem. To our knowledge, this study is the first to use culture-based isolation, molecular identification, and evaluation of N2-fixing ability to detail diazotroph diversity in Kuwaiti desert soils.

Effects of storage, mucilage presence, photoperiod, thermoperiod and salinity on germination of Farsetia aegyptia Turra (Brassicaceae) seeds: implications for restoration and seed banks in Arabian Desert

Seed viability and germination are key factors in the success of restoration efforts, especially when stored seeds are used. However, the effect of seed storage on germination of most of the native Arabian species is not well documented. We investigated the effect of storage time and role of the seed mucilage in regulating germination, dormancy, salinity tolerance and consequential survival strategy of F. aegyptia in an unpredictable arid desert setting. Effect of light and temperature during germination was studied under two photoperiods and two thermoperiods using intact and de-mucilaged seeds. Presence of mucilage and thermoperiod did not affect the germination. However, seed collection year and photoperiod had a highly significant effect on the germination. Increasing salinity levels decreased the germination of F. aegyptia but ungerminated seeds were able to germinate when salinity stress was alleviated. Seed storage at room temperature enhances the germination percentage, indicating that F. aegyptia seeds have physiological dormancy and it can be alleviated by after-ripening at dry storage. In addition, F. aegyptia seeds show ability to germinate at lower salinity concentration and remain viable even at higher saline conditions, indicating their adaptability to cope with such harsh environmental conditions.

Anticancer screening of medicinal plants growing in the Northern region of Saudi Arabia

Background: Desert condition in which plants grow and survive and altering biochemical properties of plants are known to increase the secondary metabolite induction in a variety of medicinal plants. Cancer is a terrible disease and fighting it is of abundant significance to public health. Aims and Objective: To search for new compounds with cytotoxic activity isolated from natural source. In this article, we studied the anticancer properties of three plants (Farsetia aegyptia, Lactuca serriola, and Santolina chamaecyparissus) growing under desert condition of the Northern Region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Hydromethanol extracts of the plants were investigated in vitro against four different cell lines. Anticancer activities were assayed with standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric procedure against A549, HCT116, Hep G2, and MCF7 cell lines. Result: From the analysis, it was found that Lactuca and Santolina sp. showed 71% and 66% cytotoxic activity against Hep G2 and inhibited cell line at 100 µg/mL tested dose; F. aegyptia showed 74% cytotoxic activity against A549 and inhibited cell line at 100 µg/mL. But, the three plants did not show much anticancer activity against HCT116 cancer cell line. Methanol extracts were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) in order to evaluate the chemical constituents of these plants. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, in F. aegyptia, L. serriola, and S. chamaecyparissus, which grow undrer dry desert condition of Northern Borders Region, the stress condition makes the plant accumulate active compounds that possess anticancer properties against nonsmall cell lung adenocarcinoma and human hepatocellular liver carcinoma.

Efficacy of wild medicinal plant extracts against predominant seed-borne fungi of broad bean cultivars

Seed samples of four Egyptian broad bean cultivars were tested for seed-borne fungi. The deep freezing method was used to isolate twelve seed-borne fungi viz., Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Botrytis fabae, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani,, Penicillium italicum, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, Stemphylium globuliferum and Trichothecium roseum from the broad bean cultivars viz., Giza 3, Giza 429, Giza 843 and Misr 1. Aspergillus flavus, Botrytis fabae, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium italicum were the most predominant fungal species. Aqueous extracts from five wild medicinal plants (Asclepias sinaica, Farsetia aegyptia, Hypericum sinaicum, Phagnalon sinaicum, and Salvia aegyptiaca) which were collected from the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt were tested against the predominant fungal pathogens. All the aqueous plant extracts significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of these fungi, but the extract of Asclepias sinaica exhibited the strongest antifungal activity. The maximum seed germination rate was observed in infested Giza 843 and minimum in Misr 1. Treating seeds with plant extract of Asclepias sinaica (10%) enhanced the percentage of seed germination of all cultivars in both laboratory and pot experiments. Maximum root and shoot lengths of seedlings were recorded in Giza 843 during fungal infestation or treatment by plant extract. In greenhouse experiment, the aqueous A. sinaica extract reduced disease severity and total pigments but increased total phenolics and fruit yield.

Plant Extract Control of the Fungi Associated with Different Egyptian Wheat Cultivars Grains

Abstract Grain samples of 14 Egyptian wheat cultivars were tested for seed-borne fungi. The deep freezing method was used. Five seed-borne fungi viz., Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme and Penicillium chrysogenum were isolated from the wheat cultivars viz., Bani Suef 4, Bani Suef 5, Gemmiza 7, Gemmiza 9, Gemmiza 10, Giza 168, Misr 1, Misr 2, Sakha 93, Sakha 94, Shandaweel 1, Sids 1, Sids 2 and Sids 3. A. flavus, A. niger and F. moniliforme were the most prevalent fungal species. Their incidence ranged from 21.0-53.5%, 16.0-37.5%, and 12.0-31.0%, respectively. The antifungal potential of water extracts from aerial parts of five wild medicinal plants (Asclepias sinaica, Farsetia aegyptia, Hypericum sinaicum, Phagnalon sinaicum, and Salvia aegyptiaca) were collected from the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The antifungal potential of water extracts from the aerial parts of these five plants were tested in the laboratory against the dominant fungi isolated from the wheat cultivars. All the aqueous plant extracts significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the incidence of the tested seed-borne fungi. But the extract of Asclepias sinaica exhibited the most antifungal activity on tested fungi at all concentrations used when compared with other plant extracts. Maximum infested grain germination was observed in Giza 168 and minimum in Bani Suef 5. Treating grains with plant extract of A. sinaica (10%) enhanced the percentage of grain germination of all cultivars in both laboratory and pot experiments. Maximum root and shoot length of seedlings was recorded in Bani Suef 4 during fungal infestation or treatment by plant extract. For one hour before sowing or storage, the aqueous extract of A. sinaica can be used to treat wheat grains, to reduce the fungal incidence. Aqueous extracts of the aerial parts of selected medicinal plants, particularly A. sinaica, are promising for protecting Egyptian wheat grain cultivars against major seed-borne fungi. The aqueous extracts are expected to improve crops.

Antifungal activity of extracts from five Egyptian wild medicinal plants against late blight disease of tomato

This study was carried out to evaluate the antifungal potential of water and ethanol extracts from aerial parts of five wild medicinal plants collected from Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, and the extracts were tested in vitro and in vivo against Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight disease of tomato. The five wild medicinal plants used for the study were Asclepias sinaica, Farsetia aegyptia, Hypericum sinaicum, Phagnalon sinaicum and Salvia aegyptiaca. Ethanol extracts were more effective on the pathogen than water extracts at all concentrations used. Water and ethanol extracts of all plants tested reduced mycelial growth and inhibited spore germination of the pathogen with varying degrees. Water and ethanolic extracts also reduced the disease infection with pathogen comparing with control in detached leaves technique. In all experiments, extracts of A. sinaica and F. aegyptia were most effective on the pathogen than other plant extracts. In plot experiment, the water and ethanolic extracts of A. sinaica and F. aegyptia gave the most reduction of late blight disease severity comparing with control. Also, data indicated that after the application of plant extracts, there was an increase in fruit yield of tomato corresponding with the reduction of disease severity . Scanning electron microscopy revealed a negative alteration of pathogen hyphae treated with A. sinaica extract at 20%. This concentration of the same plant extract also reflected in dramatic changes in the cyto-morphology of pathogen hyphae as observed by transmission electron microscopy. These changes resulted in an increase in vacuolisation and lipid contents with consequent reduction of cytoplasm with alteration of cell wall and plasmalemma. The overall results suggested that the use of these Egyptian wild medicinal plant extracts was promising, effective and environment-friendly management measure against Phytophthora blight of tomato and thus, may be used in the production of organically grown vegetables.

A novel flavonoid compound from Farsetia aegyptia and its antimicrobial activity

A new flavonoid kaempferol-7,8-diglucoside was isolated for the first time along with two known flavonoid compounds, kaempferol and quercetin, from the methanol extract of Farsetia aegyptia Turra by chromatographic techniques. Two coumarin compounds were isolated and identified from the plant extract. The plant extract contains phenol, catechin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, pyrogallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and coumarin compounds, which were identified by authentic samples using HPLC. The new compound and alcoholic extract of the plant were evaluated against some bacterial and fungal strains. They showed maximum inhibition against Klebsiella pneumonia. Moderate effects were observed to Aspergillus niger, while the extract did not show activity against Candida albicans.

Botanical and genetic characteristics of Farsetia aegyptia Turra growing in Egypt

Farsetia aegyptia Turra is a perennial woody desert shrub native to Egypt. It is used by native Bedouins as an anti-diabetic and antispasmodic. Study of the botanical features was carried out for the root, young and old stems, leaf, fruit and seed of the plant. F. aegyptia Turra was characterized by the presence of myrosin cells and non-glandular branched unicellular two-armed hairs in the stem, leaves and fruit, while the root showed sclereids with a wide or narrow lumen and lignified pitted walls. Furthermore, the DNA of the plant was extracted from leaf samples and analysed using ten random decamer primers. A total of 58 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were identified. Both the botanical study and the DNA fingerprint helped in the identification of the plant.

Forage yield and survival of native range species under supplementary irrigation in Central Saudi Arabia

The increase of livestock production in Saudi Arabia has resulted in a parallel increase in demand for forage production and hence greater exploitation of ground water for irrigation. The current trend of water conservation policies necessitates finding alternate sources of forages that consume less water than the traditional forage crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage yield and survival of some range species under certain levels of supplementary irrigation. The evaluated species were Atriplex halimus , Atriplex leucoclada, Farsetia aegyptia, Salsola villosa and Artemisia sieberi. The supplementary irrigation treatments were: yearlong irrigation with an amount of 480 mm water, summer and fall irrigation (240 mm), summer irrigation (120 mm) and no supplementary irrigation. Results showed that supplementary irrigation of native range species during summer season increased yield by more than 3-fold over the rain-fed stand. This increase was associated by improvement in the plant survival. Of the five species evaluated, the two saltbushes A. halimus and A. leucoclada produced exceptionally high yield. This study suggested that there is a great potential for the use of native range species as efficient alternatives for the high water demanding traditional forages in arid regions. Key words: Forage yield, range plants, supplementary irrigation. INTRODUCTION It is estimated that about 216,000 ha of agricultural lands in Saudi Arabia are currently cultivated with forage crops, producing nearly 326,000 tons per year (Ministry of Agriculture and Water, 2002). The main forage crops are alfalfa and rhodesgrass. The most important limitation to forage crop production is their high demand for the already scarce water resources. With incessant increase in demand for red meat, the demand for forage production will continue to increase. It is estimated that average national demand from alfalfa and rhodesgrass is over 2 million tons/ year (Alabdulkader et al., 2012). It is estimated that alfalfa requires 30,000 to 37,000 m

Chemosystematic studies on certain species of the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) in Egypt

The flavonoids of nine selected species belonging to different tribes of family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) native to Egypt were surveyed, viz. Rorippa palustris, Coronopus squamatus, Eremobium aegyptiacum, Moricandia nitens, Brassica tournefortii, Farsetia aegyptia, Matthiola livida, Anastatica hierochuntica and Sisymbrium irio. Thirty-eight compounds were isolated and identified, which included six flavonol aglycones, 24 flavonol glycosides including 14 flavonol 3,7-diglycosides, one flavone aglycone, three flavone O–glycosides, two glycoflavones and two dihydroflavonoids. A numerical analysis based on a combination of 97 morphological, anatomical and chemical characters revealed two series, two subseries, two clusters and two groups. The interrelationships between the studied species are discussed.

Propagation studies in Farsetia aegyptia Turra

Native plants are key components of the global biological diversity, and are highly adapted to the local environmental and climatic conditions. As Kuwait’s native plants are threatened in their natural habitat and have begun to disappear at an alarming rate, their use in landscape projects will help in conserving biodiversity and heritage. Farsetia aegyptia Turra. is a grey green, exceedingly rare woody perennial with potential to adapt to urban landscape conditions. In this study, efforts were made to standardize the techniques for mass propagation of F. aegyptia. Results indicated that pre-treating F. aegyptia seeds with 1000 ppm (78%), 750 ppm (77%), and 500 ppm (76%) GA3 was effective in enhancing the germination, compared to the control (49%).

Structural characterization of flavonol di‐O‐glycosides from Farsetia aegyptia by electrospray ionization and collision‐induced dissociation mass spectrometry

This study reports the application of mass spectrometric methods to characterize unknown flavonoids of the herb Farsetia aegyptia Turra (Crucifereae). High-performance liquid chromatography was performed in combination with UV-photodiode array detection (LC/UV-DAD) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) in both positive and negative ion modes. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectral data were obtained off-line by nanospray (nano-ESI) analysis, which provided a wealth of information and led to the structural proposal of the flavonol di-O-glycosides present in the herb extract. In addition to the mass spectral data, we also report NMR data for the major compound which allowed the completion of its structural elucidation. The Farsetia aegyptia Turra herb extract was found to contain three flavonol di-O-glycosides containing a monosaccharidic residue linked to the 3-O position and a disaccharidic residue linked to the 7-O position; the major compound was characterized as the new flavonoid, isorhamnetin 3-O-alpha-L-arabinoside 7-O-[beta-D-glucosyl-1 --> 2]-alpha(L)rhamnoside. Different types of CID spectra, i.e., low-energy [M+H]+, [M+Na]+ and [M--H]- spectra as well as high-energy [M+Na]+ spectra, were evaluated with respect to their utility to locate the O-linked saccharidic residues in flavonol di-O-glycosides and to determine the sequence in the disaccharidic part. In agreement with previously published data, the 3-O-glycosyl residue was more readily lost from the protonated molecule than the 7-O-glycosyl residue. The opposite behavior was noted for the fragmentation of the deprotonated and sodiated molecules. Radical ions were observed in the high-energy [M+Na]+ CID spectra which provided supporting information on the glycosylation positions.

Production of glucosinolate hydrolysis products in Farsetia aegyptia suspension cultures following elicitation

Levels of glucosinolates in Farsetia aegyptia var. ovalis suspension cultures were monitored after treatment with yeast extract, chitosan, methyl jasmonate, ampicillin, and Phytophthora infestans autoclaved mycelia as elicitors. Glucosinolates were identified, and an estimation of their levels obtained from their hydrolysis products. Yeast extract improved glucotropaeolin (benzyl-glucosinolate) and glucocheirolin [3-(methylsulfonyl)propyl-glucosinolate] accumulation, and production of sec-butyl, isobutylglucosinolate and gluconasturtiin (2-phenylethyl-glucosinolate) was only detected in yeast elicited cultures. Increases were shown in glucotropaeolin levels in cultures elicited using methyljasmonate, and chitosan and methyljasmonate in combination.

GC–MS analysis of volatile hydrolysis products from glucosinolates in Farsetia aegyptia var. ovalis

AbstractTwenty‐two volatile glucosinolate hydrolysis products from seeds and leaves of Farsetia aegyptia var. ovalis were identified and quantified using both natural autolysis and exogenous myrosinase, followed by GC–MS. The 22 isothiocyanate thiocyanate, epithioalkane nitrile and nitrile hydrolysis products identified can be rationalized, assuming 13 glucosinolates in the seeds and 12 in the leaves. Among the volatile hydrolysis products observed, those derived from allylglucosinolates and 3‐methylsulphinylpropylglucosinolate (glucoiberin) were prominent. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Response of Vegetation and Soil Seed Bank to Habitat Diversity in Riyadh desert, Central Saudi Arabia

Four ecologically different habitats within Riyadh desert (Central Saudi Arabia) were studied. Three different plant communities dominated by Pulicaria crispa, Lycium shawii and Farsetia aegyptia form the vegetation units inhabiting the first habitat represented by depressions and wadi terraces with deep and finely textured soil. The seed content in the upper 2 cm of these soils ranged between 38304 and 71484 seeds/m2. The second habitat is represented by the runnels dissecting gravelly areas with shallow and coarse-textured soil. This habitat supported the growth of two plant communities dominated by perennial grassland species Cenchrus ciliaris andLasiurus scindicus with soil seed content amounting to 14855 and 9000 seeds/m2 in the two communities respectively. Sandy plains represent the third investigated habitat which is inhabited by Rhazya strictacommunity with soil seed content amounting to 41580 seeds/m2. Saline soils supporting growth of the communities dominated by salt tolerant species Tamarix nilotica and Zygophyllum album formed the fourth investigated habitat. The counted seeds in the upper 2 cm of the soil were 53352 and 15624 seeds/m2 in the above communities, respectively. The present study showed that the emerged seedlings from the soils collected from the recognized communities represented a low value ranged from 0.92 to 3.38% out of the total estimated seed bank.

Pollen morphology and associated fungal spores at local members of Cruciferae With 3 Figures and 4 Tables

AbstractPollen morphology of ten members of cruciferae growing in Egypt are studied. Two categories of exine sculpture are recognized: reticulate and microreticulate. Pollen shape and size as well as exine sculpture are proved to be of major taxonomic value. Description of the examined pollen are also included.Sixty‐one species and one variety belonging to 24 genera were collected from pollen grains and anthers of examined plants on glucose Czapek‐Dox agar at 28 °C. The widest spectrum of genera and species were found in subprolate, microreticulate pollen and anthers of Erucaria hispanica (12 genera, 29 species) and the lowest in prolate spheroidal reticulate pollen and anthers of Farsetia aegyptia (6 genera, 12 species). Results revealed that there is no specific fungal spores were restricted to pollen shape of the studied taxa. The most frequently encountered fungi in pollen and anthers of most tested plants were: Alternaria alternata, Pleospora herbarum, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. terreus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. sphaerospermum, Penicillium chrysogenum and P. oxalicum. Some fungi were common only on pollen grains and anthers of one plant such as Fusarium oxysporum on Erucaria hispanica, Nectria haematococca on Eruca sativa and Ulocladium botrytis on Diplotaxis muralis.