<i>In vitro</i> application of selected essential oils and their major components in controlling fungal pathogens of crown rot in Embul banana (<i>Musa acuminata</i>– AAB)

Abstract

Summary The necessity for pesticide‐free fresh produce have prompted investigating the effect of selected essential oils and their major components on inhibition of conidial germination, appressoria formation and membrane permeability changes of the pathogens responsible for crown rot of banana. Eugenol, which is the major component of the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum , was the most effective chemical component in inhibiting conidial germination of Colletotrichum musae and Fusarium proliferatum in vitro while Cymbopogon citratus oil was the least effective. Both O. basilicum and C. citratus oils and their major components (Eugenol, citral a + b) inhibited appressoria formation by C. musae and changed the selective permeability of conidial membranes. Ocimum basilicum oil, eugenol and citral a + b could be satisfactorily used for inhibition of conidial germination and disruption of conidial activity of banana pathogens.