Influence of Plant Extracts and Essential Oils against Panama Disease (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense) in Banana Seedlings

The current research aimed to study the efficacy of plant extracts and essential oils from Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Syzigium aromaticum on mycelial growth and conidial germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense in vitro, as well as evaluation in vivo. Essential oils and extracts were applied in the culture medium (PDA) at melting point to estimate the direct effect on mycelial growth. Also, the estimation of volatile substances against mycelial growth was done. The obtained results indicated that plant extracts and essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Syzigium aromaticum were effective at 500 ppm with direct effect against mycelial growth. The volatile plant extracts had no effect on mycelial growth, however, the volatile essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Syzigium aromaticum showed good effects in controlling the disease in both 1000 and 2000 ppm. Meanwhile, extracts and essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Syzigium aromaticum showed efficacy on the conidial germination. In vivo, both essential oils and extracts from Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Syzigium aromaticum, in addition to fungicide (Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole) which was effective in avoiding the spread of disease.