Control of Wilt and Root Rot Incidence in Phaseolus Vulgaris L. by Some Plant Volatile Compounds

Essential oils from four plants, i.e. geranium, rosa, lemon and mint were tested for their activity in vitro and in vivo against Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, the cause of root rot and wilt of beans. In vitro, they were found to have an inhibitory effect against the mycelial growth of R. solani and F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli. Complete inhibition in fungal growth was observed at a concentration of 4% of each essential oil and Topsin M at 400 ppm as well. In greenhouse the four essential oils were tested as seed coating and/or foliar spray. Results of seed coating at a concentration of 1% clearly demonstrate a good protection of emerged bean seeds against invasion of R. solani and F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli compared with the fungicide treatment. A similar trend was observed in a lower extent when the essential oils were applied as bean seeds coating followed by seedlings foliar spray under field conditions. Obvious yield increase as bean green pods, in all treatments, was significantly higher than in the control.