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 rhizosphere of Crocus sativus in Taliouine (Tinfat), located in Morocco, revealed the impact of age saffron plantations. A greater endomycorrhizal fungi density was recorded in the rhizosphere of saffron plants from plots operated for 2 years (138.66/100 g of soil) over that occupied for 10 years. Seventeen morphotypes of collected spores belong to 5 genera: Glomus (seven species), Acaulospora (seven species), Rhizophagus, Densicitata, and Funneliformis (one species). The weak endomycorrhizal species richness can be explained by the accumulation of C. sativus residues over time and its allelopathic effect. The beneficial effect of composite endomycorrhizal inocula, originating from Moroccan saffron plantations, was obvious in the growth of saffron plants, mother bulb number, the leaves length, root, and vegetative masses. These inocula mycorrhized over time saffron plants’ roots and can sporulate at the level of the rhizosphere of these plants. The use of composite inocula, as biofertilizers, can be one of the solutions for sustainable agriculture.

As consumer trends shift towards more natural and ecological consumption patterns, industrialists are actively working towards substituting synthetic chemicals with natural and vegan products that contain bioactive properties. Thus, considering the shifts in customer demand and the growing concern around vegetable sourced productions, this work aims to contribute to the valorization of aromatic and medicinal Moroccan plants. By focusing on the Marrubium vulgare L. species, our objective is to carry out a physicochemical characterization to determine its chemical composition and biological activities. The volatile fraction collected by hydrodistillation (0.61%) and analyzed by GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry) contains five main compounds: 3-Thujanone, Eugenol, Topanol, Menthone and Piperitone. The antioxidant activity has been estimated by applying the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging test and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The values of inhibitory concentration prove that our oil is a good antioxidant, with values of IC50 = 1.136 mg/mL and IC50 = 2.998 mg/mL, respectively, for the DPPH and FRAP tests. The results of the antifungal activity indicate a significant inhibition of mycelial growth for both tested molds, as well as a total inhibition of spore production at a concentration of 0.25 µL/mL.

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 growth, and providing plant protection against soil-borne diseases. The aim of this work is to highlight the diversity of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities associated with saffron roots in plantations of different ages (two, four and ten years old) in the region of Taliouine (Morocco). The highest number of endomycorrhizal spores was recorded in the rhizosphere of saffron plants harvested at the level of plots that have carried saffron for two years (138.66/100 g soil), while the lowest number was observed in the rhizosphere of plants of plots that are occupied for 10 years by saffron. All collected spores from plots under study represent 17 morphotypes belonging to 5 genera: Glomus (7 species), Acaulospora (7 species), Rhizophagus (one species), Densicitata (one species), and Funneliformis (one species).