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Mints are perennial herbs that are cultivated for medicinal and aromatic purposes. They are highly polymorphic and their taxonomy is difficult. Sixty mint accessions, representing seven Mentha species (M. aquatica L., M. longifolia L., M. piperita L., M. pulegium., M. rotundifolia L., M. spicata L. and M. spicata var. crispa 'moroccan'), were collected at full flowering from 51 Tunisian localities. Essential oil yields were found to vary from 0.45 to 2.5 %, (w/w). Analyses of these oils by GC/FID and GC/MS and their subsequent classification by statistical analysis resulted in six clusters with significant variations in their terpenoid compositions: i) pulegone/isomenthone/menthone; ii) isomenthone/pulegone; iii) menthone/pulegone ; iv) piperitenone oxide; v) linalool/linalyl acetate/1,8 cineol/myrcene; and vi) carvone/limonene/1.8 cineol. M. pulegium accessions grouped two chemotypes: one rich in pulegone and the second rich in isomenthone. M. longifolia grouped one chemotype rich in pulegone and a second rich in menthone. M. spicata grouped one chemotypes characterized by a moderate to high carvone content and the second pulegone-rich. M. rotoundifolia accessions were piperitone oxide-rich. M. aquatica and M. piperita have linalool and linalyl acetate as major compounds. These results clearly indicate that there were a large biochemical diversity among the investigated Tunisian Mentha spp. accessions. Genetic and ecological diversities may explain this chemical diversity.We are submitting a paper entitled Essential Oil Chemical Diversity of Tunisian Mentha spp. collection.To start with, Mentha systematic is complicated and often questionable due to natural interspecific hybridation in section Mentha. Despite the importance of genus Mentha as a medicinal and aromatic plant with industrial potentials, research regarding this genus in Tunisia is still limited and few studies have addressed its genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to analyze chemical composition of hydro distilled essential oils of 60 mint accessions, representing seven Mentha species (M. aquatica L., M. longifolia L., M. piperita L., M.pulegium., M. rotundifolia L., M. spicata L. and M. spicata var. crispa 'moroccan'), to determine their essential oil components and further to classify these accessions based on their phytochemical traits.High polymorphism and great diversity was found in essentials oils compositions and several chemotypes are observed in species from various locations We this manuscript, we expect to contribute to this field and hope it will be considered for publication on Industrial Crops and Products. Yours faithfully, Zaineb Soilhi Cover Letter Response to ReviewersWe would like to thank the reviewer for careful and thorough reading of this manuscript and for the thoughtful comments and constructive suggestions, which help to improve the quality of this manuscript. Our response follows.

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Solanum elaeagnifolium, one of the world’s most widespread invasive weeds, thrives in the regions of Tunisia with a semi-arid climate. An enhanced understanding of its biological traits could be useful for its management. For this purpose, S. elaeagnifolium vegetative propagation, flowering, fruiting, and spread patterns were assessed under semi-arid environmental conditions at Chott Mariem (Tunisia) over three years (2013–2015). Our results revealed that S. elaeagnifolium showed an active vegetative growth phase during the spring (March–May). Thereafter, the plant stopped its vegetative growth in June–August in favor of flowering and fruiting. The vegetative growth resumed during September–October and declined in November, announcing its dormant period. Thanks to its vigorous rhizomatous system, S. elaeagnifolium was able to emit offshoots within a radius of 1.5 m from parent shoots by 30 months after its establishment. These findings could inform and improve dedicated management control options for S. elaeagnifolium. Silverleaf nightshade should be controlled before the full-flowering stage in spring and following the first autumnal rainfall to prevent vegetative propagation and fruiting.