Eucalypt in the Tunisian arid region: Diversity and valorization for honey production

Abstract

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Environmental stress tolerance, hydro-distilled essential oils characteristics and biological activities of Eucalyptus torquata Luehm.

“…Australian Native Plants Nursery (2015) mentioned that E. torquata is tolerant of extended dry periods (El-juhany et al, 2008), also, in Saudi Arabia it was classified among the high tolerating species to drought (El-juhany and Al Al-Shaikh, 2015). In the Mediterranean arid regions, E. torquata showed a high tolerance level and flower abundance also in the southern provinces of North Africa (Chemlali et al, 2022). Mechanisms employed for drought resilience of E. torquata were investigated by Souden et al (2020) which reported physiological and biochemical responses of this species subjecting to a dehydration period followed by rehydration.…”

“…The genus Eucalyptus comprises more than 800 species and hybrids, which includes 2 shrubs and flowering trees. It is the most valuable genus and it is found in almost all parts of the world due to human introduction (Chemlali et al, 2022). It has been broadly cultivated in many countries to utilize as wood for a diverse range of products and grow across a large range of climatic environments and soil types.…”

“…The mild climate is the most preferred for most species of Eucalyptus, they are highly distributed where there are warm summers, temperate winters, moderate rainfall, dry atmosphere and plenty of sunlight (Najum Rasheed et al, 2005).The distribution of Eucalyptus all over the world also the dominance in Australia means ecological importance of this genus which provide food and habitat resources for a diverse range of fauna (Vuong et al, 2015). Eucalypts are one of the most bio-economic plant species with high potential to grow in salt-affected soil with arid climatic condition also capable of providing an economic return in the future, it used for ornamental purposes, afforestation, providing feedstock for the pulp and paper industries or to obtain timber and gum, also a nectar resources for honey and known by cosmetic and medicinal values (Saadaoui et al, 2022). In some countries dried Eucalyptus leaves are used as tobacco and smoked for asthma (Sefidkon et al, 2008), aqueous extracts are used for aching joints, bacterial dysentery, ringworms, tuberculosis, etc.…”

“…The researchers were also exploring the potency of E. torquata by valuing their extracts and essential oils which show different biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal (Ashour, 2008), cytotoxic (Ashour, 2008;Bardaweel et al, 2014;Lahmadi et al, 2021) and pesticidal activity (Ebadollahi et al, 2017;El Finti et al, 2022;Ebadollahi et al, 2022). Also, E. torquata considered an important sources of nectar and pollen for honeybees as showing an abundant flowering of long period and good quality of pollen and nectar for the nutrition of bee; for these reasons, it is frequently planted in arid regions (Eisikowitch et al, 2012;Saadaoui et al,2022 ).…”