An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of the Agadir Ida Ou Tanane province (southwest Morocco)

Objective: As part of the development of natural heritage of Morocco, an ethnobotanical study was conducted in the region of Agadir Ida Ou Tanane (Southwest Morocco) with the aim to collect detailed information about the usage of plants in human therapy.Methodology and results: The survey was carried out over a period of 24 months, by means of semi-structured and structured interviews. A total of 400 interviews were done with traditional health practitioners and knowledgeable villagers. Data collected was on, vernacular names of plants, their uses, parts used and mode of preparation. Other information about users was also collected such as age, sex, level of education. A total of 110 plants species belonging to 53 families and 95 genera were inventoried with 7.27 % of the species endemic to Morocco. Plants frequently used were: Thymus satureioides (Tazouknnit, Zaitra), Thymus broussonnetii (Azoukni, Zaater), Argania spinosa (Argan), Tetraclinis articulata (Azouka, Aârar) and Lavandula dentate (Igerch, Halhal). The elderly (more than 50 years) have more knowledge in medicinal plants with regard to the other age groups, this indicates that knowledge was acquired by long experience accumulated.Conclusion and application of results: This survey shows that traditional medicine is still used and constituted a very rich heritage in Agadir Ida Ou Tanane Region. The collected data may help to avoid the loss of traditional knowledge on the use of medicinal plants detained in the study area, and represent the preliminary information required in view of a future phytochemical investigation on the most used plants.Key words: Ethnobotanical survey, medicinal plants, phytotherapy, Agadir Ida Ou Tanane province, southwest of Morocco

Application of Indigenous Rhizospheric Microorganisms and Local Compost as Enhancers of Lettuce Growth, Development, and Salt Stress Tolerance

This study aimed to mitigate salt stress effects on lettuce by using native biostimulants (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (M, consortium), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (R, Z2, and Z4 strains), and compost (C)) applied alone or in combination under salinity stress (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl). Physiological, biochemical, nutritional, mycorrhizal, growth, and soil characteristics were evaluated. Results revealed that growth and physiological traits were negatively affected by salinity. However, mycorrhizal colonization was enhanced under 100 mM NaCl after compost application. The applied biostimulants, particularly M and/or R improved the salinity tolerance of lettuce by increasing the dry biomass by 119% and 113% under 100 mM NaCl, respectively, for M and MR treatments. Similarly, MR enhanced stomatal conductance (47%), water content (260%), total chlorophyll (130%), phosphorus content (363%), and reduced the malondialdehyde (54%) and hydrogen peroxide (78%) compared to the control. Moreover, peroxidase activity (76%) and sugar content (36%) were enhanced by CM treatment, while protein (111%) and proline (104%) contents were significantly boosted by R treatment under 100 mM NaCl. Furthermore, glomalin content was enhanced by MR treatment under severe salinity. In conclusion, the applied biostimulants alone or in combination might help lettuce to tolerate salt stress and enhance its production in degraded areas

Analysis of Volatiles in Senecio anteuphorbium Essential Oil with a Focus on Its Allelopathic Effect by Means of Gas Chromatography

The present study aimed to investigate Senecio anteuphorbium, an endemic plant growing in West Morocco and widely used in local folk medicine. The essential oil (EO) extracted from the aerial parts was analyzed by gas chromatography and tested for allelopathic activity. The quantitation of the volatiles was carried out by means of GC-FID with response factors, which were validated through reliable calibration procedures, based on external and internal standardization. This analytical approach allowed to define the real concentration of each constituent (weight%, g/100 g) alongside the conventional relative percent. On the other hand, the identification process was supported by a dual matching based on both mass spectra and retention indices. The essential oil resulted in being rich in sesquiterpenes, with the predominant constituents being bicyclogermacrene (22.75 g/100 g), spathulenol (25.26 g/100 g), epi-γ-eudesmol (6.8 g/100 g), and selina-4,11-diene (5.08 g/100 g). The allelopathic effect was evaluated by studying the inhibition of the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa seeds. A potent allelopathic effect was recorded by the essential oil at a dose of 0.281 mg/mL, with almost a total inhibition of germination

Autochthonous Biostimulants as a Promising Biological Tool to Promote Lettuce Growth and Development under Salinity Conditions

An adapted sustainable management program was used to evaluate lettuce tolerance to salt stress using autochthonous biostimulants (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and compost). Salinity harmed plant growth, root colonization, and physiology. However, biostimulants application, especially AMF and PGPR treatments, significantly improved lettuce growth and salinity tolerance (120% and 50%, respectively, for biomass; 60% and 20%, respectively, for stomatal conductance; and 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively, for chlorophyll fluorescence) compared to non-inoculated and compost-free controls under stressed conditions

Enhancing Maize Productivity and Soil Health under Salt Stress through Physiological Adaptation and Metabolic Regulation Using Indigenous Biostimulants

International audienceSalinity poses a persistent threat to agricultural land, continuously jeopardizing global food security. This study aimed to enhance sweet corn (SC) fitness under varying levels of salinity using indigenous biostimulants (BioS) and to assess their impacts on plant performance and soil quality. The experiment included control (0 mM NaCl), moderate stress (MS; 50 mM NaCl), and severe stress (SS; 100 mM NaCl) conditions. Indigenous biostimulants, including compost (C), Bacillus sp., Bacillus subtilis (R), and a consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (A) were applied either individually or in combination. Growth traits, physiological and biochemical parameters in maize plants, and the physico-chemical properties of their associated soils were assessed. SS negatively affected plant growth and soil quality. The RC combination significantly improved plant growth under SS, increasing aerial (238%) and root (220%) dry weights compared to controls. This treatment reduced hydrogen peroxide by 54% and increased peroxidase activity by 46% compared to controls. The indigenous biostimulants, particularly C and R, enhanced soil structure and mineral composition (K and Mg). Soil organic carbon and available phosphorus increased notably in Ctreated soils. Furthermore, RC (437%) and CAR (354%) treatments exhibited a significant increase in glomalin content under SS. Indigenous biostimulants offer a promising strategy to mitigate salinityrelated threats to agricultural land. They improve plant fitness, fine-tune metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress. In addition, the biostimulants improved the soil structure and mineral composition, highlighting their potential for reconstitution and sustainability in salt-affected areas. This approach holds promise for addressing salinity-related threats to global food security

Analysis of Volatiles in <i>Senecio anteuphorbium</i> Essential Oil with a Focus on Its Allelopathic Effect by Means of Gas Chromatography

The present study aimed to investigate Senecio anteuphorbium, an endemic plant growing in West Morocco and widely used in local folk medicine. The essential oil (EO) extracted from the aerial parts was analyzed by gas chromatography and tested for allelopathic activity. The quantitation of the volatiles was carried out by means of GC-FID with response factors, which were validated through reliable calibration procedures, based on external and internal standardization. This analytical approach allowed to define the real concentration of each constituent (weight%, g/100 g) alongside the conventional relative percent. On the other hand, the identification process was supported by a dual matching based on both mass spectra and retention indices. The essential oil resulted in being rich in sesquiterpenes, with the predominant constituents being bicyclogermacrene (22.75 g/100 g), spathulenol (25.26 g/100 g), epi-γ-eudesmol (6.8 g/100 g), and selina-4,11-diene (5.08 g/100 g). The allelopathic effect was evaluated by studying the inhibition of the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa seeds. A potent allelopathic effect was recorded by the essential oil at a dose of 0.281 mg/mL, with almost a total inhibition of germination

Impact of Native Biostimulants/Biofertilizers and Their Synergistic Interactions On the Agro-physiological and Biochemical Responses of Date Palm Seedlings

Early accessInternational audienceThe application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and compost (C) is a biological approach to boost growth of plants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of AMF, PGPR and compost on growth, physiology and biochemical traits of date palm in the absence and the presence of microorganisms in soil. Date palm seedlings were transplanted in sterile (SS) and non-sterile soils (NSS) in the presence and absence of the biostimulants/biofertilizers. After 6 months, the application of AMF combined with compost (AMF + C) revealed significant increments in shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), stomatal conductance and chlorophyll a by 122, 114, 95 and 119%, respectively in SS. Moreover, PGPR treatment significantly improved the SDW by 482%, while AMF + C + PGPR treatment significantly increased the RDW, chlorophyll b and carotenoids concentration by 864, 211 and 145%, respectively in NSS compared to the control. In addition, the sugar and protein concentrations were significantly enhanced in plants treated with AMF + C + PGPR for SS and NSS, respectively compared to their respective controls. It was revealed that the organic matter, available phosphorus and glomalin were enhanced in soils amended with compost alone and/or combined with AMF and/or PGPR under SS and NSS. This study revealed the positive synergy of the tested native biostimulants with in NSS compared to SS in improving the growth, physiology and biochemical traits of date palm as well as soil fertility