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This paper presents the results of research on the effect of essential oils and ethanol extracts on the growth of mold fungi on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood. The analysis of fungal growth on the microbial medium showed that the degree of inhibition of microorganism growth depends on the amount of the extract added to the medium. At the same time, it was found that the highest dose of the extract, amounting to 5.0 cm3, almost completely inhibited the growth of fungi. In addition, it was found that mint ethanol extracts, the application of which in the wood is at least 40 g/m2, have a fungistatic effect at the initial stage of fungal development. Solutions of essential oils turned out to be more active against fungi, although also in this case the desired biocidal effect was not achieved. Essential oils significantly slowed down the growth of the fungus Ch. globosum, with the strongest fungistatic effect found for 'Morocco' spearmint oil (Mentha spicata L.). Despite the fact that in tests on agar-maltose medium, the strongest biocidal activity against Ch. globosum was found for spearmint 'Crispa' (Mentha spicata L.) oil, the effect of growth inhibition was not so clearly visible in studies on wood. Essential oils applied to the surface of the wood slowed down the growth of T. viride fungus, but not to the extent that it was found in the case of Ch. globosum. The qualitative and quantitative composition of substances belonging to the group of terpenes and their derivatives was characterized using the GCMS technique. It was shown that the ethanol extracts of mints were dominated by substances belonging to the oxygen-containing monoterpenoid and monoterpene groups. In terms of quality, the composition of essential oils turned out to be richer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mint rhizome borer, Datonychus melanostictus (Marsham, 1802), is a new pest of spearmint crop in Chaouia region north central of Morocco. The main damage is caused by the larvae, which tunnel inside the rhizomes. In this study, we investigated the population fluctuation of D. melanostictus in spearmint fields during two seasons 2013 and 2014 using two sampling methods. The emergence of weevil begins in late March, followed by an increase of egg laying activity during May. A strong larval activity takes place at rhizomes below ground during late May to early June. Pupation takes place mainly inside the rhizomes. New generation adults reached three peaks between June and early August 2013 and two peaks during June and July in 2014. The highest larval density recorded before flowering resulted in significant reduction of the average fresh yields to 6.6 t/ha. Protection of mint fields against D. melanostictus is a daily challenge, population dynamics can be a tool to predict and to help farmers for applying protection methods in the best way [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weevil, Datonychus melanostictus, is one of the most damaging insect pest of mint crop Mentha spicata L. in Morocco. This insect causes significant damage by larval feeding on mint rhizomes. The effectiveness of systemic and contact insecticides for controlling larvae and adults of D. melanostictus was investigated in spearmint field trials, during three cropping seasons in the Chaouia region. The contact insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (250 ml/ha) caused the highest mortality (87.5%) against adult weevils three days after treatment, reducing the damaged rhizomes by 61% and significantly increased the fresh yield by 48.7% over the check. However, the use of neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid and thiacloprid after mint cuts showed a negative effect to reduce the larval infestation on rhizomes. These findings revealed that the use of lambda-cyhalothrin as foliar application in early summer, could be an excellent candidate to control the adult weevils D. melanostictus on mint crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control of defoliating caterpillars of Noctuidae in spearmint crop (Mentha spicata L.) in Morocco: Defoliating caterpillars from the family Noctuidae are the most destructive insect pests on spearmint crop in Morocco. To control these pests, the growers apply several applications of non‐selective insecticides that are sometimes not registered for this use. This study investigates the efficacy of a set of selective chemical insecticides and other insecticides registered for organic farming against the defoliating caterpillars for better protection and in order to limit pesticide residues. Two insecticides authorized in organic farming and four other chemical insecticides were tested against the defoliating caterpillars under field conditions, following the randomized complete block experimental design with three replications. The comparative study of the efficacy of the different insecticides tested showed an average caterpillar reduction of 89.4, 82.5 and 68.1% with a defoliation reduction of 57.1, 53.8 and 43.9% for two of the tested synthetic insecticides, chlorantraniliprole (15cc/hl), emamectin benzoate (250g/ha) and for one of the tested bio‐insecticides, spinosad (30cc/hl) respectively. An increase of the total fresh mint weight compared to the non‐treated control was recorded for these three insecticides with 50.9%, 48.4%, and 40.5% for emamectin benzoate, chlorantraniliprole, and spinosad respectively. Insecticides containing chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, or spinosad active substances could be used as alternatives to other synthetic broad‐spectrum insecticides commonly used on spearmint in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic and medicinal plants are a rich source of molecules with insecticidal activities against many insect pests. The present study investigated the insecticidal activities of four essential oils against the third instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera. Contact toxicity and systemic toxicity of essential oils were assessed toward third instar larvae of H. armigera using three concentrations under laboratory conditions. While under field conditions, the experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block in three replications using the most effective oils. The Ocimum basilicum essential oil showed a high level of larvicidal activity at 2.5% with 88% and 92% of larval mortality after 24 h and 48 h of application, respectively. Mentha spicata oil caused 2.5%, 52% and 76% larval mortality after 24 h and 48 h of application, respectively. As for the topical application, O. basilicum at 2.5% and 5% concentrations, caused 80% and 100% larval mortality after 24 h of treatment, respectively. M. spicata at 5% induced 80% and 100% larval mortality after 6 h and 24 h of application, respectively. The field data confirmed the significant effect of O. basilicum oil at 2.5% in reducing the pod borer larvae and pod damage after 6 days of the first and second spray, compared to the control. GC-MS revealed that the major compounds of O. basilicum essential oil were Estragole (78.94%) and Linalool (16.61%), whereas M. spicata essential oil had Cis-carvyl acetate (63.69%) and D-limonene (14.79%) as major components. These results suggest the potential use of O. basilicum and M. spicata essential oils for the development of eco-friendly, safe and effective biological insecticides for the control of chickpea pod borer. • O. basilicum and M. spicata provided a rich source of biologically active compounds with a high level of larvicidal activity. • O. basilicum and M. spicata essential oils exhibit high toxicity against H. armigera larvae under laboratory conditions. • O. basilicum essential oil showed encouraging potential use as a biopesticide against H. armigera under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicine and its therapeutic applications are widely practiced in northeastern Morocco, and people are knowledgeable about it. Nonetheless, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding their safety. In this study, we reveal the toxic and potential toxic species used as medicines by people in northeastern Morocco in order to compile and document indigenous knowledge of those herbs. Structured and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and simple random sampling was used as a sampling technique. Based on this information, species were collected, identified, and herbarium sheets were created. The collected data were analyzed using two quantitative indices: informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (Fl), as the degree of these indices give an insight into the level of toxicity of a given plant. The results revealed the knowledge of 55 species belonging to 36 families. The most represented families were Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, and Fabaceae. Furthermore, the majority of the species cited were herbs (67%), and the most common toxic parts were seeds, followed by leaves and roots. According to the informant consensus factor, death (0.81%) had the highest agreement, followed by the urological (0.76%) and skin (0.75%) categories. The most significant plants in terms of fidelity level were Solanum sodomaeum L. and Nerium oleander L. for death, Arisarum vulgare O. Targ. Tozz., Mentha spicata L., and Morus alba L. for the digestive category, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss. and Citrus x aurantium L. for cardiovascular category, Urtica dioica L. for skin category, Datura stramonium L, and Ephedra altissima Desf. for neurological category, and finally Crocus sativus L. for general and unspecified category. This work highlights a valuable traditional knowledge of poisonous and potential poisonous plants in northeastern Morocco. Further phytochemical and toxicological research is needed to determine the safety of these prized herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]