Essential oils represent a promising option for pathogen control due to their natural antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated the antibacterial and antifungal activity, against phytopathogenic species, of two varieties of essential oils extracted from Citrus sinensis peel: C. sinensis “Navel Orange” and C. sinensis “Tarocco”. As regards antibacterial activity, after determining the minimum inhibitory concentration, equal to 5% (w/w), against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, the causative agent of bacterial spot on tomatoes, curative efficacy tests were conducted. The inoculated plastic surfaces were treated with essential oils and subsequently analyzed to verify the presence of the pathogen by plating on selective media and specific polymerase chain reaction. The antifungal activity of the same essential oils was studied against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis lycopersici, the agent responsible for root rot in tomatoes. Tomato seeds were exposed during germination to different concentrations of suspended essential oils. After a few days, blackening of the roots, if present, was observed as an indicator of disease. The results highlighted the significant effectiveness of essential oils in both assays, suggesting their potential use as sustainable tools for the management of fungal infections in agriculture and for the disinfection of surfaces promoting the reuse of agricultural artifacts with a view to circular economy.
Efficacy of Citrus sinensis essential oils in the control of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis lycopersici
Lo Vetere M;Bisio A
2025-01-01
Abstract
Essential oils represent a promising option for pathogen control due to their natural antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated the antibacterial and antifungal activity, against phytopathogenic species, of two varieties of essential oils extracted from Citrus sinensis peel: C. sinensis “Navel Orange” and C. sinensis “Tarocco”. As regards antibacterial activity, after determining the minimum inhibitory concentration, equal to 5% (w/w), against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, the causative agent of bacterial spot on tomatoes, curative efficacy tests were conducted. The inoculated plastic surfaces were treated with essential oils and subsequently analyzed to verify the presence of the pathogen by plating on selective media and specific polymerase chain reaction. The antifungal activity of the same essential oils was studied against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis lycopersici, the agent responsible for root rot in tomatoes. Tomato seeds were exposed during germination to different concentrations of suspended essential oils. After a few days, blackening of the roots, if present, was observed as an indicator of disease. The results highlighted the significant effectiveness of essential oils in both assays, suggesting their potential use as sustainable tools for the management of fungal infections in agriculture and for the disinfection of surfaces promoting the reuse of agricultural artifacts with a view to circular economy.
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