Background Studying the ecology of biocontrol-agents is a prerequisite to effectively control medfly (Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)) with entomopathogenic fungi. In this context, factors affecting the occurrence and distribution of medfly-associated entomopathogenic-fungi were studied. Soil samples (22) were collected from natural and cultivated areas of Souss-region Morocco. Results A total of 260 fungal isolates belonging to 22 species and 10 genera were obtained by using medfly pupae as bait. Medfly-associated fungi were detected in all studied soils and pupae infection percentages ranged from 3.33% to 48%. Two genera, Fusarium and Beauveria were the most frequent with 83 isolates (32%) and 50 isolates (19.23%) respectively. Pathogenicity test of isolated species against medfly pupae showed high mortality rates up to 91% for some strains. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated a strong influence of origin, physical, and chemical properties of soil on the abundance of these fungi. In general, medfly-associated fungi were more abundant in soils with moderate pH (7.5 to 8) having high sand and organic content. High relative humidity negatively influenced the abundance of these fungi. Both factors directly affected the fungal infection percentages in pupae. The response of fungi to these parameters varied among species. According to principal component analysis (PCA), the soils of argan fields and forests were more suitable for the development of medfly-associated fungi than citrus orchards. Conclusions These results guide identifying suitable soils for the effective application of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents. In summary, isolated indigenous strains seem to be a promising option to control C. capitata.

Background: Studying the ecology of biocontrol-agents is a prerequisite to effectively control medfly (Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)) with entomopathogenic fungi. In this context, factors affecting the occurrence and distribution of medfly-associated entomopathogenic-fungi were studied. Soil samples (22) were collected from natural and cultivated areas of Souss-region Morocco.Results: A total of 260 fungal isolates belonging to 22 species and 10 genera were obtained by using medfly pupae as bait. Medfly-associated fungi were detected in all studied soils and pupae infection percentages ranged from 3.33% to 48%. Two genera, Fusarium and Beauveria were the most frequent with 83 isolates (32%) and 50 isolates (19.23%) respectively. Pathogenicity test of isolated species against medfly pupae showed high mortality rates up to 91% for some strains. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated a strong influence of origin, physical, and chemical properties of soil on the abundance of these fungi. In general, medfly-associated fungi were more abundant in soils with moderate pH (7.5 to 8) having high sand and organic content. High relative humidity negatively influenced the abundance of these fungi. Both factors directly affected the fungal infection percentages in pupae. The response of fungi to these parameters varied among species. According to principal component analysis (PCA), the soils of argan fields and forests were more suitable for the development of medfly-associated fungi than citrus orchards.Conclusions: These results guide identifying suitable soils for the effective application of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents. In summary, isolated indigenous strains seem to be a promising option to control C. capitata.

In this study, we have evaluated the effects of three brown algae (Cystoseira gibraltarica, Bifurcaria bifurcata, and Fucus spiralis) as biostimulants on the germination and in vitro growth of pepper (Capsicum annuum) as well as in greenhouse. Two different treatments (Amendment/spray) have been tested accordingly, both with varied concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%) for extract and (C1=0.5 g/pot, C2=1 g/pot and C3= 2.5 g/pot) for amendment). Results showed that the seeds which were treated by C. gibraltarica, and B. bifurcata with a low concentration (0.5%) have slightly germinated with a high length of hypocotyls. Similar results have been obtained for the radicle length. On the other hand, F. spiralis extract improved the percentage of germination, the length of the radicle, hypocotyls, and seedling length and dry weights for the three tested concentrations. Also, all concentrations have a favorable effect on seedling biomass. In the greenhouse, the growth rate (roots' length, aerial part length, total length, and dry weights) was higher for the plants which received higher concentrations of aqueous extracts of the three species B. bifurcata, F. spiralis, and C. gibraltarica. Additionally, the maximum quantity of chlorophyll 'a' has been recorded in the plants treated with B. bifurcata and C. gibraltarica at 2% and F. spiralis extracts at 0.5%. In regard to the protein content, the maximum values were recorded at the level of the plants that were treated This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.with F. spiralis extract at 0.5%. This study has provided important information about B. bifurcata and F. spiralis species could be considered as a good biostimulant to improve pepper's growth.

Successful application of entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents requires a selection of highly virulent isolates with the ability to tolerate abiotic stress factors. Herein, we evaluated the entomopathogenic activity as well as the effect of ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B) and water stress on conidia germination, viability, and fungal growth of three Fusarium isolates, namely Fusarium oxysporum NS1, F. solani OS11, and Fusarium sp. Pi21. Pathogenicity was tested against pupae and adults of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae), by spraying and by body‐contact bioassays, respectively. Average mortality of treated individuals ranged from 62 to 93% for pupae and from 26 to 86% for adults, depending on the fungal isolate and concentration. The highest mortality rates were caused by F. oxysporum NS1 and F. solani OS11. These isolates were effective within a short time period (LT50, pupae: <87 h, adults: <68 h) using low concentrations (LC90, pupae: <7 × 105 conidia ml−1, adults: <5 × 106 conidia ml−1). Sensitivity to UV‐B and water activity (aw) varies significantly among the studied isolates. Fusarium oxysporum NS1 was the most tolerant to UV exposure and water stress, with >63% relative conidia germination and growth rates after 6 h UV exposure and >50% conidia germination and viability at aw = 0.928. These results showed the high pathogenicity of Fusarium isolates, especially F. oxysporum NS1, against C. capitata and their tolerance to abiotic stress conditions. However, the application of these isolates in the field as biopesticides requires further studies elucidating their specificity toward C. capitata and their safety for non‐target organisms.

Background: Studying the ecology of biocontrol-agents is a prerequisite to effectively control medfly (Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)) with entomopathogenic fungi. In this context, factors affecting the occurrence and distribution of medfly-associated entomopathogenic-fungi were studied. Soil samples (22) were collected from natural and cultivated areas of Souss-region Morocco. Results: A total of 260 fungal isolates belonging to 22 species and 10 genera were obtained by using medfly pupae as bait. Medfly-associated fungi were detected in all studied soils and pupae infection percentages ranged from 3.33% to 48%. Two genera, Fusarium and Beauveria were the most frequent with 83 isolates (32%) and 50 isolates (19.23%) respectively. Pathogenicity test of isolated species against medfly pupae showed high mortality rates up to 91% for some strains. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated a strong influence of origin, physical, and chemical properties of soil on the abundance of these fungi. In general, medfly-associated fungi were more abundant in soils with moderate pH (7.5 to 8) having high sand and organic content. High relative humidity negatively influenced the abundance of these fungi. Both factors directly affected the fungal infection percentages in pupae. The response of fungi to these parameters varied among species. According to principal component analysis (PCA), the soils of argan fields and forests were more suitable for the development of medfly-associated fungi than citrus orchards. Conclusions: These results guide identifying suitable soils for the effective application of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents. In summary, isolated indigenous strains seem to be a promising option to control C. capitata.