Karima Selmaoui

Université Ibn Tofail · Department of Biology

This study investigated the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma asperellum against chickpea Fusarium wilt through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The dual culture test showed that Trichoderma had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of the tested Fusarium isolates, with an inhibition rate ranging from 71.33% to 80.66%. The volatile and...

The mycorrhizal association represents a crucial symbiotic bond necessary for the vitality of the majority of plants. This report aims to investigate the impact of endomycorrhizal fungi on the production of fig trees from cuttings. The research took place in a nursery environment by inoculating fig cuttings sourced from three sites in Morocco with...

Objective: Gynecological and Breast Cancers (GCBC) are extremely common worldwide, including in Morocco. Patients suffering from these forms of cancer often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), particularly phytotherapy. However, there has been no research on Moroccan patients using this medicine. We aim to assess the frequency and...

In Morocco, where cancer is a major public health problem, the characteristics of cancer in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region of Morocco are unknown. Our objective was to establish the epidemiological profile of cancer in this region and the main risk factors influencing cancer. We conducted a cross-sectional study, including all types of cancer, wit...

Purpose: More than a third of cancer patients use traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) in the Beni Mellal Khenifra region of Morocco. No study has investigated the reasons for this use. Our objective is to explore the main resaons this use. Methods: Between April and October 2022, 200 cancer patients from the Beni Mellal oncology center p...

The different Trichoderma asperellum—Pyraclostrobin + Boscalid preventive treatment programs were applied before inoculation with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, to the aerial parts of Camarosa strawberry plants. They reduced anthracnose symptoms for 80 days, The disease severity reduction percentages on leaves were ranged from 66.66 to 99.1%. The...

The endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum known as biological control agent has also capacity to stimulate plant growth. Tomato plants were treated with the moroccan T. asperellum laboratory-made biofungicidal and biostimulant product slurry at a concentration of 107 conidia.mL−1 by dipping before planting and by fertigation with different volum...

The present study aimed to assess the combined effect of Trichoderma harzianum and a composite endomycorrhizal inoculum on the growth of argan seedlings in nurseries. The dual application of T. harzianum and endomycorrhizal inoculum results in the increase of all growth parameters. Indeed, fresh weight average of aerial and root parts were in the o...

The endomycorrhizal status of argan trees planted in implanted in Taounate Region was studied. Samples of fine roots taken from the rhizosphere of the trees studied revealed the presence of several endomycorrhizal structures, with a frequency of mycorrhization between 33.33% and 100% and an intensity which varies between 20% and 64.33%. Regarding t...

An isolate of Curvularia spicifera obtained from Opuntia ficus indica growing around a citrus orchard, was capable to induce different symptoms in plants of Citrus aurantium, the most widely used citrus rootstock in Morocco. Dipping inoculation method of roots Citrus aurantium plants into spore suspension (106 spores/mL) of Curvularia spicifera iso...

An integrated control approach combining Trichoderma asperellum with Tolclofos-methyl (50%) resulted in moderate to high suppressive action of R. solani in culture substrate and strawberry plants attacks. This combination provided an advantageous effect regarding plant growth parameters by maintaining good root development rated at a score of 5, pr...

The use of antagonistic microorganisms such as Trichoderma in agriculture plays an important role in sustainability, production and environmental protection. Direct in vitro confrontation of Trichoderma asperellum with Rhizoctonia solani inhibited the mycelial growth of R. solani at different temperatures, with inhibition percentages varying betwee...

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the rhizosphere of Fig trees in the commune of Tizguite, Ifrane region (middle atlas region of northern Morocco) was presented in this study. Soil analysis revealed the presence of a diversified endomycorrhizal fungal community. The density of spores at the studied sites varied from 61 to 100 s...

Background Chickpea plant ( Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop that is vulnerable to various fungal pathogens causing significant yield losses. Among them, Fusarium equiseti is a pathogen that has started to raise concern. In contrast, Trichoderma species have been explored for their ability to control such pathogens. In this study, th...

The pathogenicity of two isolates (FS1 and FS2) of the Fusarium solani isolated from diseased chickpea plants harvested from two different regions from Morocco, which were identified morphologically and molecular, was evaluated as the severity, incidence and index of the disease. The results show that the two isolates tested were able to induce sym...

Background: Moroccan cancer patients use traditional herbal medicine. The prevalence of the use of medicinal plants is 31% in this country. No ethnobotanical study has targeted these patients in the Beni Mellal Khénifra region, a region known for the extensive use of medicinal plants. Objective: Enumerate the plants used against cancer in the Beni...

Introduction Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is significantly influenced by patient attitudes and beliefs. However, in Morocco, there is a lack of research specifically focusing on examining these attitudes and beliefs, which might differ in the local context. This study's main objective was to describe the attitudes and beliefs of...

The argan tree, an endemic species in Morocco, has been exhaustively studied in its southwestern range but neglected in its northeastern territory. Thus, the present study sets as objectives the identification of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the evaluation of the argan tree’s roots’ mycorrhization level in two stations: one in the region of Bén...

Saffron is a geophyte species that propagates only vegetatively through the multiplication of corms. The extension of the cultivation area needs high-quality corms. Low multiplication rates and fungal infestation of corms reduce productivity and quality, thus limiting the availability of planting material. The study of fungi linked to corms in the...

In poor soils, widely invaded by telluric fungi and subject to difficult environmental conditions (semi-arid and arid), the use of cultural techniques has become essential. Mycorrhizae are one of the promising strategies in the field of plant breeding and production. This symbiosis improves mineral and water nutrition and strengthens plant defenses...

In Morocco, Tomato is among vegetable production that represents a very important asset for its socio-economic development. However, this production faces many constraints that negatively affect its potential. The use of bio-fertilization appears to be an alternative to address these constraints and could also promote sustainable agricultural produ...

The biocontrol potential of the native Moroccan Trichoderma asperellum isolate has been evaluated against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the causal agent of strawberry anthracnose. This disease is one of the main diseases accountable for heavy economic losses in strawberry crop. In the greenhouse trials, spraying the conidial suspension of Trichod...

The richness of the soil in beneficial and growth-stimulating microorganisms and their symbiotic interactions with plants is a factor to be discovered. This kind of relationships is still poorly studied in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.). The endomycorrhizal status of cannabis was assessed in two cannabis varieties (Khardala and Critical) cultivated...

Introduction: Although Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) is used by about one third of Moroccan patients with cancer, no study has examined attitudes and opinions about it. Thus, the goal of our study was to validate and adapt the ABCAM (Attitudes and Beliefs about Complementary and Alternative Medicine) scale to the Moroccan context. M...

Fungal isolates of Fusarium were collected from symptomatic chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plants growing in fields within Souk Tlat commune in the Gharb region. Morphological and molecular characterizations were performed of the fungal isolate N3 obtained from a chickpea plant. PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer usi...

Purpose Moroccan studies have shown a high frequency of use of traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM). No survey has investigated the predictive factors of the use of traditional herbal medicine. This study aims to assess the prevalence, the determinants, and the predictors of this use. Methods At the regional oncology center of Beni Mellal...

Saffron cultivation is an important alternative for marginalized areas. Due to low soil fertility and low water availability, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are an essential alternative for maintaining fertility and water economy, stimulating growth and protecting plants against soil diseases. Studies on the diversity of endomycorrhizal fungi in the...

Ethnopharmacological relevance Medicinal plants have long been used as traditional medicines in Morocco. Patients with cancer frequently use medicinal plants, with a frequency ranging from 11% to 39%. No studies have evaluated these patients in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. Aim of study We investigated the beneficial and adverse effects of medi...

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, the determinants and the predictors of this use. Methods At the regional oncology center of Beni Mellal, we conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with 530 adult cancer patients chosen by quota sampling. A 54-item questionnaire was used to perform the face-to-face sur...

Despite the importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) within forest and agroecosystems, few data are available about how AMF communities are structured in the root zone of the argan tree. Some studies have characterized endomycorrhizal fungi population occurring in rhizosphere soils of argan trees grown in southwest of Morocco, numerous site...

Background Although some Moroccan studies have shown a high frequency of use of traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM). No survey has investigated the predictive factors of the use of traditional herbal medicine. Methods At the regional oncology center of Beni Mellal, we conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with 530...

Soil and root samples were collected from the rhizo-sphere of planted and natural argan trees growing in the Bounaga and Smimou sites, respectively, in northwest Morocco. Frequency and intensity of my-corrhization and arbuscular content of the roots of argan trees varied between sites. Spore morphotypes on the two sites belonged to 14 species and 6...

Introduction : Although the use of medicinal plants is quite frequent in Morocco, no ethnobotanical study has targeted cancer patients in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. We aim to measure the frequency of use of medicinal plants by these patients in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region and to inventory those used. Methods : An ethnobotanical survey wa...

Saffron cultivation is a viable alternative for marginal areas where low soil fertility and water availability severely limit the cultivation of other crops with higher water and input requirments. Under these conditions, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are an essential alternative for maintaining fertility and water conservation, stimulating gr...

Saffron cultivation is a viable alternative for marginal areas where low soil fertility and water availability severely limit the cultivation of other crops with higher water and input requirments. Under these conditions, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are an essential alternative for maintaining fertility and water conservation, stimulating gr...

Objective To synthesize data on prevalence of herbal medicine use by this group, the determinants and predictors of use, and its results as well as to list the medicinal plants used. Materials and methods A systematic review was carried out on the three indexed databases Scopus, Web of sciences and Pubmed, in addition to the Google Scholar databas...

To assess the access to conventional cancer services and traditional and complementary medicine (TC&M) use during the COVID-19 pandemic by cancer patients.

Various studies highlight the advantages of intercropping, including the improvement of plant growth, stabilization of yield and reduction of economic and environmental risks common in monoculture systems. The research was carried out over two cropping seasons with different N fertilisation levels to compare winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cult...

The study aims to evaluate the effect of endomycorrhizal inoculum (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi), phospho-compost and phosphate sludge in single (M, PC, PS) or dual combinations (PC+M, PS+M, PS+PC) compared to agricultural and Mamora soils (A and S) on the growth, flowering, and yield of tomato plants. Among the studied treatments, the substrates con...

Many research studies have shown the importance of seaweed extract in agriculture. Marine macroalgae are rich in diverse compounds like lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, phytohormones, amino acids, osmoprotectants and minerals. In this study, we have tried to characterize Moroccan macroalgae species Ulva rigida collected from the coastal area of Akh...

This study investigated the effect of seaweed extract (SWE) sprays obtained from Ulva rigida on wheat plants (Triticum durum L., variety Karim) grown under salt stress conditions for six weeks. Three levels of NaCl (0, 34.22, 68.44 mM) and four different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25 and 50%) of Ulva rigida as a water extract were applied. The obtain...

Although some studies have characterized endomycorrhizal fungi population occuring in rhizosphere soils of argan trees grown in the southwest of Morocco, numerous sites of this area remained unexplored. There is a need to study additional soil samples which cover more sites of argan tree stands. Hence, we studied endomycorrhizae diversity and the m...

The great morphological similarities within the Colletotrichum genus and the lack of precision of classical identification methods have made the use of molecular methods mandatory. Despite the great diversity of species within the Colletotrichum genus, very few morphological characters are expressed. Morphological examination of the isolates of Col...

Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) has a significant importance due to its economic value, nutritional benefits and frequent use in many cultural dishes. The aim of this study is to determine and compare some morphometric, qualitative and quantitative parameters of twenty-eight lime accessions. A great morphological variability was detected according to th...

Moroccan cancer patients use traditional herbal medicine and no ethno botanical study has targeted them in the Béni Mellal Khénifra region. We had the objective to measure the frequency use of medicinal plants by cancer patients in the region of Béni Mellal Khénifra as well as the communication around this use and to inventory the plants used added...

Surveys were carried out in April-May, 2017 in plots of barley located in different localities of northwest Morocco. Root and soil samples were taken under barley feet growing in these plots. The spores were isolated from the soil samples by wet sieving and the roots were stained with Cresyl blue. The observation of barley plants roots fragments fr...

The isolates TR-B 98 (2) and TR-B 98 (3) from the phosphate mines of Morocco and the isolate Trichoderma asperellum were tested for their ability to survive in the soil and stimulate the growth of wheat plants (soft wheat and durum wheat) and barley on a Mamora (SM) sand-based growing medium modified with increasing concentrations of natural phosph...

Cette publication s'inscrit dans le cadre du projet européen Tempus MOMATE qui vise à accompagner les développements récents qu'à connus le secteur des énergies renouvelables dans les pays maghrébins et à assurer dans les universités des formations de qualité compatibles avec les normes européennes et répondant aux besoins socio-économiques des pay...

Biological and chemical treatments of seeds with a Trichoderma suspension or solutions of Thirame with 10% gelatin, 4% superphosphate, and 0.1% sucrose were able to reduce the severity, incidence and index of root rot in wheat and barley plants growing on a substrate inoculated with three pathogens responsible for root rot, Curvularia spicifera, Bi...

This work reports the results of the evolution of a composite inoculum containing 70 species in the rhizosphere of five mycotrophic plant species namely beans, maize, barley, wheat, and sorghum. The number of endomycorrhizal species isolated is respectively as follows: 19, 12, 11, 13, 12, one month after their inoculation. Analysis of the spores' c...

This study demonstrated beneficial effects of the symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal arbus-cular fungi (AM) and olive trees. Young olive trees were treated with a composite mycorrhiza treatment with and without inoculation of the pathogenic Phy-tophthora palmivora. A non-inoculated control was also included. Mycorrhizal plants had greater m...

The attempts of argan tree (Agrania spinosa (L.) Skeels) reforestation programs, as a multi-use agro-forestry species deal with the mastering the production of superior quality seedlings in nurseries. Trichoderma spp. are well known as soil inhabitant and endophytic plant symbionts that are widely used as seed treatments to enhance plant growth. In...

Pure cultures of a large number of fungal isolates were obtained from anthracnose symptoms developed on the olives collected from Ouazzane and Sidi Kacem regions (North and North West of Morocco). Microscopic observations, based on morphological criteria, identified some of them belonging to the genus Colletotrichum. However, high morphological sim...

The treatment of Citrus aurantium L. seeds with an endomycorrhizal consortium, originally from the rhizosphere of different species of citrus allowed roots mycorrhization and improvement of all agronomic parameters of the plants resulting from the germination of these seeds following coated seeds germination compared to those of the plants develope...

To ensure sustainable management of limiting soil P and minimize the extensive use of mineral fertilizers, friendly environmental agricultural practices are required. In this study, the effects of phospho-compost and phosphate sludges either alone or combined with an endomycorrhizal inoculum were tested on the growth parameters of maize plants. Gre...

The attempts of argan tree (Agrania spinosa (L.) Skeels) reforestation programs, as a multi-use agro-forestry species deal with the mastering the production of superior quality seedlings in nurseries. Trichoderma spp. are well known as soil inhabitant and endophytic plant symbionts that are widely used as seed treatments to enhance plant growth. In...

The pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia solani isolates derived from strawberry plants was evaluated against ten crops mostly grown into or closely to strawberry plantation areas plots. 13 weeks after inoculation, strawberry plants showed symptoms when they were inoculated by making collar injury using wooden toothpick whereas those inoculated by using ro...

Thirty Trichoderma isolates isolated from compost, various crops and soil with roots of adjacent sites to the phosphate mines of Morocco, were tested in vitro for their potential to solubilize phosphorus from phosphate rock. The qualitative assessment of phosphate solubilization by Trichoderma isolates was performed on Modified Pikovskaya Agar (MPA...

The Moroccan strain of Trichoderma asperellum Banklt1902509 SMis 1 KU987252 RAB 95369 isolated from compost and the pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae were tested for their tolerance to heavy metals. The growth behavior of these two fungal species and biocontrol ability of T. asperellum against Verticillium dahliae were investigated as a functi...

The biocontrol abilities of Trichoderma isolates isolated from soil and roots collected from adjacent sites to the Khouribga and Benguerir Phosphate mines (Morocco) were tested in vitro by dual culture against different pathogens responsible for root rots in wheat and barley plants (Bipolaris, Curvularia and Fusarium) in the in vitro assays. Under...

The effect of a composite endomycorrhizal inoculum is tested on the occurrence of Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium solani, in chickpea plants. Eight weeks after inoculation, the aerial part’s length (24 cm), aerial part’s fresh weight (4.5 g), fresh root weight (5.54 g), leaves’ number (22) and the number of pods (4) are higher than those found in...

Surveys were carried out in wheat (durum wheat and soft wheat) and barley fields in April-May 2017 in northwestern Morocco allowed the isolation of a species of the Curvularia genus from the characteristic necrotic lesions of the root rot of wheat and barley. This fungus was isolated either in the presence of Bipolaris sorokiniana or among a variab...

The number of infectious propagules of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in phosphate sludge was estimated using the most probable number (MPN) method, and compared with the results obtained by wet sieving techniques and the technique of staining roots. In the sludge soils of phosphates D, C, E, Bassin F and the rhizosphere soils of olive trees, a...

This work aims to demonstrate the pathogenicity of 37 isolates of F