Pseudomonas isolates have frequently been isolated from the rhizosphere of plants, and several of them have been reported as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. In the present work, tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) seeds were germinated in greenhouse conditions, and the seedling height, length of plants, collar diameter and number of leaves were measured from plants grown in soil inoculated by bacterial isolates. Pseudomonas isolates were isolated from the rhizosphere. We used the Newman-Keuls test to ascertain pairwise differences. Isolates were identified as a new Pseudomonas species by rpo D gene sequencing. The results showed that isolates of Pseudomonas sp. (Q6B) increased seed germination (P = 0.01); Pseudomonas sp. (Q6B, Q14B, Q7B, Q1B and Q13B) also promoted seedling height (P = 0.01). All five isolates promoted plant length and enlarged the collar diameter (P = 0.01). Pseudomonas sp. (Q1B) also increased leaf number (P = 0.01). The investigation found that Pseudomonas isolates were able to solubilize phosphate, produce siderophores, ammonia, and indole-3-acetic acid and colonize the roots of tomato plants. This study shows that these five novel Pseudomonas sp. isolates can be effective new plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.

The Opuntia cochineal scale Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) causes severe damage to prickly pear (Opuntia ficus‐indica (L.) Miller). This scale insect was first detected in Morocco in 2015 during sampling in the cactus crop in the Sidi Bennour region (120 km north‐west of Marrakech). Methods for sampling, preservation and identification are described. Although this scale insect can be used for the production of the natural dye carmine, the damage it can cause is considerable. A pest risk analysis should be carried out and the ensuing management measures implemented to prevent severe economic and ecological losses.

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The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is an important pest of many horticultural crops. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates obtained from rhizospheric soil of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) in Agadir, Morocco: Q110B, Q036B and Q172B, as potential biological control agents for T. urticae. Both acaricide and repellent activities were assessed on homogenous adult mites. The acaricidal activity test evaluated five concentrations of bacterial suspensions: 0 (control), 10 2 , 10 4 , 10 6 , 10 8 , and 10 10 cfu ⋅ ml -1 , while only the 10 10 cfu • ml −1 concentration of each bacterium was used for the repellent bioassay. The mortality rate and repellentindex were recorded 24, 48 and 72 h after application. Results indicated that the survival rate of T. urticae was reduced (p ≤ 0.01) by all three bacterial isolates compared to control. Within the 24-72 h time period the mortality rates ranged from 8 to 87%, 16 to 99%, and 13 to 89%, for Q110B, Q036B and Q172B isolates, respectively. The isolate Q036B (LC 50 = 0.598 cfu ⋅ ml -1 ) provided higher mortality rates than Q172B and Q110B with LC 50 values of 90,846 and 169,585 cfu ⋅ ml -1 , respectively. Repellent activity was also the highest with Pseudomonas Q036B having a 71% repellence index at 48 h after application. Regarding the mechanism of action, all three isolates produced hydrogen cyanide, and exhibited protease and cellulose activities, although only Q036B and Q172B had potential chitinase action. Identification analysis showed that the isolates were either Pseudomonas putida (Q172B) or P. fluorescens (Q110B and Q036B). Our results indicate that the P. fluorescens isolate Q036B is a promising candidate for biological control of T. urticae, and has potential to contribute to an integrated pest management program to control this important pest. Then the fruits produced will be qualified as safe for consumers and the environment. The present work was customized to give support for policy decision makers as an agroecological potential meeting needs of industries and ecological balance.

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