In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Satureja horvatii ssp. macrophylla Against 3 Tomato Phytopathogenic Fungi

Abstract

The essential oil from the aerial part of Satureja horvatii spp. macrophylla, an endemic plant species of northwest Greece has been analyzed using GC-MS. Thirty-nine compounds were identified, among which carvacrol was the major constituent (46.8%). The antifungal effect of the essential oil was investigated in vitro against 3 phytopathogenic fungi of tomato, using fumigant and contact assays. Fumigant assay was more effective than contact assay against all phytopathogens. The essential oil inhibited completely the mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (123 µL L-1 air) and Alternaria alternatα (100 µL L-1 air), while it significantly reduced the growth of Botrytis cinerea (91%).