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The effect of two propagation methods (use of stolons in winter and shoots in spring) on the yield of fresh and dried leaves of peppermint (Mentha Xpiperita L.) was studied in a field experiment in the La Plata zone of Argentina. Fresh and dry weights were greater for plants propagated from stolons in winter and harvested in summer (in full bloom and post-bloom) and from shoots planted in spring if plants were harvested post-bloom.

The repellence, attractance, and mortality of essential oils from several herb species cultivated in Argentina was evaluated on the stored grain pests Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum. At a concentration of 22 μ1 of oil/liter of air, the essential oil of false camphor, Cinamommum glandulifera, attracted Sitophilus oryzae at a dose of 60 μl of oil/liter of air and the essential of rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, was toxic to Tribolium castaneum. No repellent activity was observed with any of the essential oils tested.

Different essential oils were tested against the fungus Ascosphaera apis, the causal agent of Chalkbrood Disease of honey bees. Essential oils from lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loiseleur), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), laurel leaf (Laurus nobilis L.), false camphor (Cinnamomum glandulifera Nees), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), tagetes (Tagetes minuta L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) were assayed to prove their fungistatic activity at different concentrations: 700, 800 and 900 μ.L/L. Strains of Ascosphaera apis were collected from apiaries of different places of Buenos Aires province (Argentina). At all concentrations tested, coriander oil was the most effective fungistatic control while basil and tagetes oils were effective only at 800 μL/L. No differences in effectiveness of oils were observed against the different strains of Ascosphaera apis.