Abstract:
In the present study, the potential biocontrol ability of fennel seeds essential oil against Fusarium
oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL), in vitro and in vivo conditions was evaluated. Chemical
composition of the essential oil was determined by GC-MS analysis and major components
identified were trans-anethole, L-Fenchone, Estragole and Limonene. The different essential oils
concentrations revealed to be efficient to inhibit the FOL growth with IC50 values =300.37 µl/l.
Under greenhouse conditions using susceptible tomato plants, the use fennel essential oil as a
curative treatment, resulted in a good protection against Fusarium wilt. In fact, the essential oil
displayed a significant decrease (42.85%) in disease severity on tomato in comparison to control.
Treatment with fennel essential oil significantly exhibited a growth promotion of infected or
non-infected tomato plants. Moreover, the resistance induction was associated with several
physiological changes in tomato plants. After 3 weeks post infection, physiological parameters
such as, relative water content, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were altered by FOL
and interestingly increased in fennel essential oil treated plants. This study demonstrated that
fennel seeds essential oil was a promising biocontrol compound and could be considered in
formulation of biofungicide used against Fusarium wilt |
