Efficacy of essential oils of various aromatic plants in the biocontrol of Fusarium wilt and inducing systemic resistance in chickpea seedlings

This study evaluated the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris Padwick (FOC) and their effects in inducing systemic resistance in chickpeas. The EOs chemical composition was analysed by GC-MS. Carvacrol, geraniol and 1,8-cineole were the major constituents in thyme, lemongrass and laurel EOs. The latter showed effective antifungal activity against FOC. In vivo tests revealed that thyme and lemongrass EOs were also very effective in reducing the severity in chickpeas and reached an inhibition rate of 99.3 and 88.9%, respectively. Chickpea resistance is mostly attributed to phenolic compounds accumulation. The highest content of polyphenols was obtained with thyme (22.7 to 57.5 mg/g). The studied EOs could be used as promising antifungal agents in preventing the occurrence of Fusarium wilt in chickpeas.