The antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) from Carum carvi, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cuminum cyminum, Eugenia caryophyllus, Foeniculum vulgare, Melaleuca alternifolia, Mentha × piperita, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus vulgaris was tested against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) and Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pa), which cause soft rot of potato tubers. In disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests, cinnamon EO was found to be most effective against both bacteria. The inhibition zones ranged from 20.46 to 29.58 mm for a concentration of 100 μL/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.5 μL/mL, and MBC was between 0.5 and 5 μL/mL. The higher sensitivity of bacteria was manifested in clove (Pcc and Pa), mint (Pcc), oregano (Pa) and thyme (Pa) EOs. Rosemary EO was the least effective. The results of the in vivo test were not entirely consistent with those of the in vitro tests. The most significant antibacterial effect was achieved with mint EO. The treatment of potato tuber discs with mint EO at a concentration of 3 μL/mL for Pcc and 3–10 μL/mL for Pa was 100% effective. The efficacy of the essential oils of caraway (5–10 μL/mL), thyme (10 μL/mL) and oregano (5 μL/mL) also ranged from 95.7 to 99.7%. Based on the results of the in vivo test, it may be recommended that mint EO and potentially caraway, oregano and thyme EOs be further tested for pickling potato tubers against bacteria of the genus Pectobacterium.

The relationships between weeds and insects in canola stands with different seeding rates are not fully understood. Varying seeding rates in canola crops can create different conditions that affect both weed and insect populations and their interactions. The aim of this work was to determine the response of weeds and insects of selected taxa to different densities of canola stand densities and to clarify the interactions between weeds and insects in canola stands. The field experiment was conducted on a plot located in the cadastral area of the municipality of Pěnčín (Moravia, Czech Republic). The results show that a reduced canola sowing rate of oilseed rape leads to increased weed infestation, which is dominated by one taxon (Papaver rhoeas L.). The increase in weed infestation of canola stands is not reflected in an increase in the diversity of captured insects. Increased canola seeding rate improves weed suppression but increases the number of canola pest insects. A higher number of plants and more canola biomass increase the food supply and, thus, make the stand more attractive to canola pests. The taxon Brassicogethes aeneus dominated the pests species spectrum. Changing the seeding rate of canola results in a response in weed and insect populations. The standard recommended seeding rate is optimal in terms of competitive suppression of weeds and the occurrence of pests and trapped insects. Increasing or decreasing the seeding rate of rapeseed does not bring any benefits in terms of pest regulation or biodiversity. However, the results obtained indicate an interesting weed–insect interaction in the conditions of canola stands.

Species of the genus Mentha are valued for their aroma and bioactivity. This study presents a comprehensive 3‐year (2022–2024) evaluation of two Mentha spicata and three Mentha × piperita genotypes. Methanolic extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (AA) using spectrophotometry; individual phenolic compounds were determined by HPLC–DAD, and essential oils (EOs) were characterized by GC–MS. Significant inter‐ and intra‐species variability was observed . M. × piperita showed higher phytochemical levels (TPC: 33.61–55.23 mg GAE/g DW; TFC: 27.56–43.01 mg CE/g DW; and AA: 46.48–103.93 mg TE/g DW) than M. spicata (TPC: 28.92–39.57 mg GAE/g DW; TFC: 23.48–35.11 mg CE/g DW; and AA: 40.09–93.59 mg TE/g DW). Rosmarinic acid predominated in all samples (6227.11 to 29321.70 µg/g DW), with elevated levels observed in M. × piperita . EO yields ranged from 0.55% to 2.31% (v/w), with carvone dominant in M. spicata and menthone, dl ‐menthol, or piperitenone oxide in M. × piperita . Principal component analysis confirmed distinct chemical differentiation among genotypes. Genotype had a strong, and year a moderate, effect on phytochemical profiles. These results highlight the species‐specific potential of Mentha for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.

PPS Family Lamiaceae is one of the largest plant families with a cosmopolitan distribution comprising more than 6 000 species in 236 genera described worldwide (Carović-Stanko et al. 2016). Representatives of this family are annual, biennial and perennial typical herbs (Carović-Stanko et al. 2016). However, some species are shrubs, trees, or vines, but in the Czech Republic, they are occurring as herbs or semi-shrubs (Slavík 2000). Many family members are widely cultivated for their aromatic qualities (Capecka et al. 2005) and ease of cultivation and use in decoration (Uritu et al. 2018). Powdery mildews (Erysiphales, Ascomycota) are obligate biotrophic parasites of vascular plants, appearing as a white layer on the green parts of the plant and acting as a debilitating agent on the host (Braun & Cook 2012). Worldwide, up to 11 powdery mildew species in five genera have been described in the family Lamiaceae, namely Erysiphe, Golovinomyces, Leveillula, Neoërysiphe and Podosphaera. However, only three powdery mildew species have been confirmed in the Czech Republic: Golovinomyce orontii, G. biocellatus and Neoërysiphe galeopsidis (Braun & Cook 2012).