In vitro Antifungal Activity of Essential oils and Major Components against Fungi Plant Pathogens

Abstract The indiscriminate use of synthetic fungicides has caused several problems to the environment, which place human and animal health at risk. Due to this fact, the search for natural alternatives to control phytopathogenic fungi growth has increased. This study aims to evaluate the antifungal activity of two essential oils (EOs) and three major components of EOs on the radial growth and spore germination of Fusarium verticillioides and Alternaria tenuissima . Minimum and half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations ( CMI and CI 50 ) at 96 h for each treatment were calculated. Lemongrass EO and citral caused the highest inhibition for A. tenuissima ( CMI of 1000 μ l/l and CI 50 of 10 μ l/l). For F. verticillioides, the most effective component was geraniol ( CMI and CI 50 of 1000 and 250 μ l/l, respectively). Spore germination rate was delayed by the EOs and major components tested. The use of EOs was effective to control these two fungal species in their different grow stages.