Essential Oils of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants as Botanical Biocide for Management of Coconut Eriophyid Mite (Aceria guerreronisKeifer)

The concept of rural development, it stems from many factors and variables circumstantial of area as rural tourism, agritourism, products of territory, in our case the medicinal and aromatic plants. In this paper we estimate the land fund by purpose and destination of use is grouped into three categories, where the third, with about 53 thousand hectares, is less fertile, affected by erosion, and should be used with priority. Their expansion results to be 67% in mountain areas, 31% in hilly areas and only 2% in lowland areas. The more effective alternative according to our agriculture theory and practice is that of the aromatic and medicinal plants (medicinal and aromatic plants) that have multi-dimensional cultivating interests for our country, conditioned by the climatic and soil conditions as well as the economic and organizational conditions of a range of stakeholders related to the aromatic and medicinal plants, such as their growers, collectors, aggregators, processors and traders (exporters). In terms of our country the aromatic and medicinal plants have two main situations: From the wild, outdoor and, b) Cultivated, in increasingly growing areas, in different areas and with differentiated practices. Among the the aromatic and medicinal plants in complexity, sage, thyme and oregano have obvious superiority in area planted and the production realized out of their total. The advantage of the aromatic and medicinal plants results in full use of agricultural land, in a broader employment of free labor force (mainly women), increase of income, increase of their exports, which currently account for about 52-54 % of the total that agriculture as a whole realizes in the last years, etc.

Plant essential oils (basil, geranium, balsam fir, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, pine and tea tree), mixed with either sunflower oil or ethyl alcohol, were applied at 5% concentrations to the sides of Holstein cattle. Pastured cattle treated with essential oils diluted in sunflower oil had less flies than the untreated control for a 24-h period. However, the essential oil treatments were not significantly different than the carrier oil alone. Barn-held heifers treated with essential oils and sunflower oil alone had significantly less flies than the untreated control for up to 8 h after treatment. Basil, geranium, lavender, lemongrass and peppermint repelled more flies than sunflower oil alone for a period ranging from 1.5 to 4 h after treatments applied to heifers. All essential oils repelled > 75% of the flies on the treated area for 6 and 8 h on pastured cows and indoor heifers, respectively. Geranium, lemongrass and peppermint stayed effective for a longer duration. Essential oils mixed with ethyl alcohol demonstrated less repellence than when mixed with the carrier oil. Safer's soap, natural pyrethrins without piperonyl butoxide and ethyl alcohol alone were not efficient at repelling flies. Essential oils could be formulated for use as fly repellents in livestock production.

Incorporation of essential oil from Vitex gardneriana (Lamiaceae) in microemulsions systems based on mineral and cottonseed oils increased its bioactivity against a coconut pest mite

Coconut fiber is obtained from the fibrous husk (mesocarp) of the coconut (Cocos nucifera) and the coir industry depends on this versatile natural fiber. Efforts were made in this study to evaluate the effect of eriophyid mite, Aceria guerreronis (Keifer) damage on the out-turn and quality of coconut fiber. An out-turn of 100.5, 89.7, 81.0, 68.6 and 60.1 kg of white fiber was obtained from 1,000 nuts infested by eriophyid mite belonging to grade 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. A reduction in the out-turn of fiber could be a consequence of nut malformation or cracks formed on the husk surface due to desapping by A. guerreronis at the young button stage of the nuts. A significant negative correlation was observed between the quantity of rope made out of the extracted fibers and the nut damage grade. A quantity of 90.8 and 49.7 kg of rope were obtained by using white fibers extracted from 1,000 nuts of grade 1 and 5, respectively. Fibers extracted from nuts belonging to grade 1 and 5 had a tensile strength of 52.1 and 15.7 kg, respectively. A fiber length of 10.8 cm and a fiber diameter of 0.4 mm were noticed in the fibers extracted from severely infested nuts (grade 5). Key words: Coconut, Eriophyid mite, Aceria guerreronis, fiber out-turn, tensile strength

Regulation of essential oil in aromatic plants under changing environment

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPS) represent a consistent part of the natural biodiversity endowment of many countries in Africa. The role and contributions of medicinal plants to healthcare, local economies, cultural integrity and ultimately the well-being of people, particularly the rural poor, have been increasingly acknowledged over the last decade. The demands of the majority of the populace for medicinal plants have been met by indiscriminate harvesting of spontaneous flora, including those in forests. This has resulted in severe loss of habitat and genetic diversity. The utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) as a source of fuel, building material, food, fodder, and fibre, in African countries has, however, led to a resurgence of natural product- based industries and pharmaceutical products. This had been spurred by the interests of the developed countries for traditional medicine and natural products. Furthermore, many African medicinal plants are well-known in the international markets, e.g. Ancistrocladus abbreivatus, a Cameroun plant with anti-HIV potential. Therefore, sustainable management and conservation of these endangered medicinal plant species are important not only because of their value as potential therapeutics, but also due to worldwide reliance on traditional medicinal plants for health. Effective conservation strategies for medicinal plant should take place within four main areas: in-situ andex-situ conservation, education and research. Saving Africa’s medicinal plant resources from extinction calls for intensive management and conservation, more research and increased level of public awareness about our vanishing heritage. Key words: African, health care delivery, medicine, harvesting.

The generalist predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii is a widely used natural enemy of phytophagous pests. Due to the negative effects of conventional pesticides on non-target organisms, the development of selective natural and eco-friendly pesticides, such as essential plant oils, are useful pest control tools to use in synergy with biological control agents. Essential oils of Nepeta crispa, Satureja hortensis, and Anethum graveolens showed promising results to control Tetranychus urticae. Hence an experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of these essential oils on the biochemical and demographic parameters of A. swirskii. A significant reduction of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein contents of oil-treated predatory mites was observed. However, essential oils of S. hortensis and A. graveolens had no effect on lipid reserves. The glutathione S-transferase activity of A. swirskii was influenced by A. graveolens oil treatment. In addition, the enzyme activity of the α-esterases was elevated by all treatments. The essential oils showed no effect on β-esterases activity compared to the control treatment. None of the concentrations of the different tested oils affected the population growth parameters of A. swirskii. However, a significant reduction was observed in oviposition time and total fecundity of predatory mites. A population projection predicted the efficacy of predatory mites will likely be decreased when expose to the essential oils; however, population growth in the S. hortensis treatment was faster than in the other two treatments not including the control. The results presented in this study may have critical implications for integrated pest management (IPM) programs. However, our observations show that using the tested essential plant oils requires some caution when considered as alternatives to synthetic pesticides, and in combination with A. swirskii. Semi-field and field studies are still required to evaluate the effects on T. urticae and A. swirskii of the essential oils tested in this study, before incorporating them into IPM strategies.

The increased demand for natural products from wild aromatic and medicinal plants has stimulated several research projects focusing on phytochemistry, ethnobotany, pharmacognosy and many other sub-disciplines related to medicine and pharmacy or cosmetology and chemical industry in general. Morocco is one of the richest Mediterranean countries whose flora is well known and many of its plant resources and products very demanded by consumers and manufacturers but there is an urgent need to deal with wild medicinal and aromatic plants namely found on public lands. In this study, we attempt to identify and assess the wild species to overharvesting especially those in forest lands and then identify priority ones. A rapid vulnerability assessment approach was applied to 182 species inventoried referring to its biological, ecological and chorological criteria then combined to trade data. We obtained three groups of MAP species depending on its vulnerability ranked from high to very low vulnerability and their availability at national level. A list of 25 priority species was sorted on its economic value for export and then only the most representative ones within each region was identified to analyze its corresponding actions. These insights could be applied to improve the conservation policies and guide the sustainable management and economic valuation plans to implement the Moroccan Medicinal and aromatic plants strategy.

The use of aromatic and medicinal plants in developing countries has been widely observed. The increasing human population and demands in the late decades has led to over exploitation of land in many areas thus reducing the biodiversity of medicinal plants. Aromatic and medicinal plants possess odorous volatile substances and the characteristic aroma is due to a variety of complex chemical compounds. This study was carried out in order to contribute aromatic and medicinal plants knowledge of Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. This investigation included twenty medicinal or aromatic plant specimens collected and photographed from Bingol provinces during the vegetation seasons 2016. With this study some medicinal and aromatic plants recorded and photographed; that might be useful for health-care programme, aromatic and medicinal plants knowledge, aromateraphy, phytoteraphy, economic agricultural policy development, alternative food programme, ethnobotany and development of drug sector.

At the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca there is an old and valuable tradition regarding the knowledge and valorification of medicinal and aromatic plants. In this institution, a Medicinal Plant Resort was established (in 1904), with activity until between the two world war period, being known and appreciated in the country and abroad. Starting with 1970 (50 years ago), the scientific researches in the field of medicinal plants were resumed at USAMV Cluj-Napoca, within the Phytotechnics department of this institution. The Cluj Department of Phytotechnics has carried out multi-annual research contracts with the Fundulea Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, since its establishment (in 1975) and has maintained scientific collaborations with the Faculty of Pharmacy from Cluj-Napoca, with Plafar Cluj etc. Since 1993, when The Hop and Medicinal Plants Culture Research Center was established at the Cluj Phytotechnics Department, the investigations in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants have diversified. Under the shield of this research center, since its establishment (in 1993), the journal "Hop and Medicinal Plants" is published, which publishes scientific papers on medicinal and aromatic plants, made at USAMV Cluj-Napoca and other institutions of research in the country and abroad. This paper presents the evolution of investigations in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants within USAMV Cluj-Napoca, highlighting the studies conducted from 1970 to the present. During this period (for five decades)8are presented the doctoral theses referring to medicinal and aromatic plants defended in USAMV Cluj-Napoca. Finally, the paper includes books of medicinal and aromatic plants developed and published by teachers from Phytotechnics in Cluj.

Genipa americana L. has a diversity of secondary metabolites, including iridoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids. Pharmacological and biological properties have also been reported. This study has aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) obtained from the leaves of G. americana and its bioactivity against Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae), a serious pest of coconut production areas worldwide. EO from the leaves was extracted and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and flame ionization detection (GC-MS/FID). For the bioassays, the adult coconut mites were subjected to increasing concentrations of EO. The analyses showed a predominance of sesquiterpenes, followed by monoterpenes, aldehydes, and fatty acids. The EO (LC50 = 0.41 mg mL-1; LC90 = 6.43 mg mL-1) showed toxicity and repellent effects against the coconut mite. The tested EO has the potential to develop as a natural product, with acaricidal activities against A. guerreronis, in order to assist in the control of the coconut mite.

Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica f. alba) is a rare medicinal, essential oil, and aromatic annual plant of the Lamiaceae family. The paper aims to study the bioproductivity and economic traits of Dracocephalum moldavica f. alba in the Central Economic Region of the Russian Federation. The research object was plants of the white-fl owered form of Moldavian dragonhead cultivated at the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ARIMAP). The experimental part of the work was carried out in 2023–2024 through conducting fi eld and laboratory experiments. Biometric measurements were performed during the mass fl owering phase. The content of essential oil was determined during mass fl owering by hydro-distillation in air-dried raw material. The total phenolic content calculated as rosmarinic acid was determined using methods developed at ARIMAP. The total fl avonoid content calculated as luteolin was determined after the complex formation reaction with aluminum chloride. Dracocephalum moldavica f. alba is characterized by stable raw material yield, good seed productivity, and drought resistance. The form is suitable for industrial cultivation. The white-fl owered form exceeded the Nezhnost’ cultivar (with blue fl owers) bred by the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in raw material and seed yield by 10–11 %. The comparatively high yield of seeds and raw material of the white-fl owered form is due to the size and fullness of the seeds as well as to a greater degree of leafi ness. The essential oil content in the raw material of the white-fl owered form was determined to be high on average over the years of research. This indicator exceeded the similar indicator for the cultivar Nezhnost’ adapted to Moscow Oblast environment by 70 %. The total phenolic compounds in the raw material of the white-fl owered form averages 4.0 % over two years, while the fl avonoid content is 0.878 %. The studied white-fl owered form, along with cultivars having fl owers of blue or other colors, can be used as a promising medicinal and essential oil raw material when cultivated in the Non-Black Earth Zone of Russia

Bioactivity of the essential oil from sweet orange leaves against the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae) and selectivity to a generalist predator

This work is devoted to the analysis of the most common issues faced by manufacturers of medicinal and essential oil raw materials — the market, the availability and availability of wild raw materials, agro-ecological conditions, the amount of manual labor, its cost, investments in quality seeds and equipment, post-harvest processing and the overall profitability of production. Cultivation of medicinal, essential oil and aromatic plants today is not only a promising alternative to the collection of wild raw materials, which allows preserving the natural biodiversity of plants with medicinal properties, including those species that have a protective status, but is also a powerful branch of the economy that provides high quality raw materials for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. As a rule, medicinal and essential oil plants are considered by agricultural producers as secondary crops, as their cultivation is associated with certain problems. These problems are common to both small and powerful agricultural enterprises, both in Ukraine and abroad. They are related to both technological aspects of growing and plant identification, as well as market fluctuations and product prices. Consumers of medicinal and essential oil raw materials increasingly prefer cultivated products, because under such conditions it is easier to predict yield and ensure quality compared to wild-grown raw materials. During cultivation, false identification and unintentional falsification of raw materials are almost excluded, and the use of improved methods of cultivation and the use of modern varieties allows planning the harvest and costs. The profitability of growing medicinal and essential oil crops competes with traditional field crops, which have highly specialized equipment, a significant list of zoned varieties and hybrids, standard procedures for applying fertilizers and protective means, etc. In contrast to the cultivation of traditional crops, in order to ensure the profitability of the production of medicinal and essential oil raw materials, it is necessary to use methods with low production costs in order to be competitive on the international market and with the production of raw materials from natural groups. The work uses generalized material, both from our own many years of scientific and practical experience in the cultivation of medicinal and essential oil raw materials, as well as the experience of scientists and practitioners of foreign countries. On the example of the experience of foreign countries and domestic researchers and producers, the authors sought to prove that the cultivation of agricultural crops for obtaining essential oil and medicinal raw materials is a profitable business and can be considered as a variant of niche crops, be an attractive option for small farms and family farms. Within the scope of this review, it is impossible to consider all the problematic issues of the widespread introduction of medicinal and essential oil crops into the practice of agricultural production, since many more problems need to be solved, which can be the subject of future experiments and research.

The composition of essential oils of 10 species of aromatic and medicinal plants from Pirot District was examined. Protected, rare, or poorly researched species were chosen for investigation. They belong to the families Asteraceae (Achillea clypeolata, A. coarctata, A. crithmifolia, and A. millefolium), Apiaceae (Seseli libanotis and S. pallasii), and Lamiaceae (Satureja montana, Sideritis montana, Teucrium chamaedrys and T. montanum). Most of them are protected by the Law of the Republic of Serbia. All selected species flower from mid-June to early July. In that period, plant sampling was carried out on Mts. Stara Planina, Vlaška, and Vidlič and in the vicinity of Dimitrovgrad, at 500-1300 m a.s.l., to determine yield and chemical composition of the oil. Samples were dried immediately after collection at the registered agricultural holding „Cvetković“ in Pirot, and then transported to the laboratory of the Faculty of Chemistry in Belgrade. The highest essential oil yield was found in the following species: S. libanotis (1.40%), A. crithmifolia (0.94%), Satureja montana (0.30%) and A. millefolium (0.25%), while it was weak in other species (0.02-0.07%). The chemical composition of the oil was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the case of the first 3 examined plants from the family Asteraceae, the following compounds dominated: 1,8 cineole and camphor (with significant differences in terpene profiles), and in A. millefolium, b-pinene and trans-caryophyllene dominated. In the family Apiaceae, a high proportion of oxygenated monoterpenes (OM) and a pronounced dominance of b-elemene were found in Seseli libanotis, while in S. pallasii, a high proportion of monoterpene hydrocarbons (MH) and OM, especially limonene, was found. However, this similarity was not observed in the dominant components: geraniol, germacrene D, b-caryophyllene and the group of terpenes. In the family Lamiaceae, the share of OM was high in Satureja montana and Sideritis montana, but there was also the most MH and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (OS) (respectively, in comparisons of all 4 species). Teucrium chamaedrys and T. montanum stand out with a high proportion of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (SH), and T. montanum also has OS. However, the dominant components in all 4 species differ in the content of geraniol, germacrene D, b-caryophyllene, or group of terpenes (Satureja montana, Sideritis montana, Teucrium chamaedrys and T. montanum, resp.).