The effect of salinity and water stresses on the essential oil components of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil was investigated. Rosemary plants were submitted to different water treatments: tap water (TW), salt water (SW) and without irrigation (NIR). GC/MS analysis showed that ten and eleven volatile compounds were identified in essential oil of rosemary plants irrigated with tap water (TW) and salt water (SW), respectively. However, thirteen volatile compounds were identified in essential oil of non-irrigated plants (NIR). Moreover, among these compounds, α-Pinene, Eucalyptol (1,8 Cineol), Camphene, Borneol, D-verbenone, Bornyl acetate were the major components of oil. Also, GC/MS results highlighted that non-irrigated rosemary plants showed the highest essential oil yield (Y). Obtained oil yields followed the order YNIR > YTW > YSW. In conclusion, qualitative and quantitative differences in rosemary essential oil components were highlighted in relation to water stress.

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Aphis spiraecola and Aphis gossypii cause harmful damages on clementine tree orchards. Weekly surveys measured the abundance of aphids (larvae, winged and wingless adults) as well as of auxiliary insects and parameters of energy metabolism. Correlatively, soluble carbohydrates, total free amino acids, free proline and condensed tannins were quantified in control and infested leaves. Both aphid species showed parallel temporal variations, but A. spiraecola was consistently more abundant regardless of the stage. Amino acids had a positive effect on both aphid species abundance, but neither condensed tannins nor auxiliary insects seemed to modulate aphid populations. Interestingly, the leaf carbohydrate content was positively correlated with the abundance of A. spiraecola, but not with that of A. gossypii. Moreover, A. gossypii's abundance was significantly down-regulated by high proline concentrations. Thus, the higher abundance of A. spiraecola could be explained by a better tolerance to high proline contents and a better conversion of foliar energy metabolites.

This study investigatecl the effect of vermicompost tea (VCT) as a natural foliar fertilizer in faba bean. To determine the effect of ver at different doses on the growth and reproduc tion of faba bean, ver was producecl and three different concentrations (0, 10, and 20% VCl) were appliecl as a foliar fertilizer to faba bean plants. Plant height, number of flowers, and pods per plant as well as soluble sugars were measurecl weekl y after treatment for a period of 11 weeks. Treatecl plants were larger and had more flowers per clump, as well as more clumps and pods per plant than the contrai. Moreover, treatecl plants reachecl the flowering stage at least 3 weeks earlier than the contrai. This could be explainecl by the presence of nutrients, humic acid, and probably hormones in ver, which may positively affect growth, reproduction, and yield. Treatment at 10% VCT presentecl better values than 20% VCT. The latter containecl more humic acid, which probably limitecl growth and flower ing. The soluble sugar and protein contents were higher in treatecl plants, and the highest values coincidecl with the flowering and reproductive stages. Similarly, seecls produced by treatecl plants were richer in protein that control seecls. These results indicate that 10% VCT is a useful fertilizer to improve growth in faba bean. This study highlights the possibility of using ver as a foliar fertilizer to increase growth in faba bean.

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