Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils from Three Artemisia Species Against Alternaria solani

Abstract

In this study, the antifungal activity of the essential oil from three Artemisia species was tested against Alternaria solani. The essential oil from A. lavandulaefolia DC was effective when delivered through fumigation in vitro, with inhibition reaching over 60 % at a concentration of 12 μL/plate. The Artemisia scoparia essential oil successfully showed marked effects against A. solani through the agar diffusion method and spore germination assays, inhibiting over 80 % at a concentration of 12 mg/mL. The Artemisia annua essential oil showed moderate antifungal activity against A. solani. The major components of the A. lavandulaefolia essential oil were eucalyptol, (-)-terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol. The major components of the A. scoparia essential oil were acenaphthene, curcumene and (+) caryophyllene oxide. The major components of the A. annua essential oil were artemisia ketone, α-selinene and γ-terpineol. Our study provided a theoretical basis for applying these essential oils as future ecofriendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides to control disease.