Fungal Plant Disease Management by Natural Essential Oils

Safaei-Farahani B. and Mostowfizade-Ghalamfarsa R. 2019. Fungal plant disease management by natural essential oils. Plant Pathology Science 8(1):24-37. DOI: 10.2982/PPS.8.1.24.  Essential oils are hydrophobic, volatile and aromatic compounds that have been used as fragrances and flavors for a long time. Recent studies have shown that some plant essential oils have fungicidal effects against some important plant pathogens. For instance, the essential oil of thyme inhibits the mycelial growth of Penicillium italicum and the essential oil of lavender shows the fungistatic effect on ‎ Botrytis cinerea, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger. The essential oil of thyme has also been used to control the black rot of orange caused by Alternaria citri and grey mold of strawberry fruits caused by Botrytis cinerea. Antifungal activities of essential oils are mainly related to their effects on fungal cell wall, cell membrane, mitochondria and nitric oxide level. As a result of increased concern about harmful chemical pesticides, essential oils can have a good place in the market as natural fungicides. In this paper, application of essential oils as natural fungicides, their mode of actions and some safety aspects of their application have been discussed.