TY - JOUR
T1 - In vitro antifungal activity of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil and its major components against plant pathogens
AU - Terzi, V.
AU - Morcia, C.
AU - Faccioli, P.
AU - Valè, G.
AU - Tacconi, G.
AU - Malnati, M.
PY - 2007/6
Y1 - 2007/6
N2 - Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (TTO) and its principal components on four cereal-pathogenic fungi. Methods and Results: The antimycotic properties of TTO and of terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinen and 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) were evaluated in vitro on Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum and Pyrenophora graminea. Moreover, barley leaves infected with Blumeria graminis were treated with whole TTO. All the tested fungi were susceptible to TTO and its components. Conclusions: TTO exerted a wide spectrum of antimycotic activity. Single TTO purified components were more active than the whole oil in reducing in vitro growth of fungal mycelium and, among the tested compounds, terpinen-4-ol was the most effective. Significance and Impact of the Study: TTO and its components can be considered potential alternative natural fungicides.
AB - Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (TTO) and its principal components on four cereal-pathogenic fungi. Methods and Results: The antimycotic properties of TTO and of terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinen and 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) were evaluated in vitro on Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum and Pyrenophora graminea. Moreover, barley leaves infected with Blumeria graminis were treated with whole TTO. All the tested fungi were susceptible to TTO and its components. Conclusions: TTO exerted a wide spectrum of antimycotic activity. Single TTO purified components were more active than the whole oil in reducing in vitro growth of fungal mycelium and, among the tested compounds, terpinen-4-ol was the most effective. Significance and Impact of the Study: TTO and its components can be considered potential alternative natural fungicides.
KW - Barley
KW - Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei
KW - Essential oil
KW - Fusarium culmorum
KW - Fusarium graminearum
KW - Melaleuca alternifolia
KW - Pyrenophora graminea
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34250303030&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02128.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02128.x
M3 - Article
SN - 0266-8254
VL - 44
SP - 613
EP - 618
JO - Letters in Applied Microbiology
JF - Letters in Applied Microbiology
IS - 6
ER -