Abstract
Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) of watermelon caused by Acidovorax citrulli (ACC) is one of the most severe diseases of watermelon worldwide. Antibacterial activity of 32 essential oils (EOs) was evaluated against ACC using disk-diffusion assays. The oil from cinnamon exhibited the greatest antibacterial activity. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the major components of cinnamon oil were analyzed. Among the various components of cinnamon oil, benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde exhibited the effective antibacterial activities against ACC. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde were measured using broth dilution assays. The MICs against ACC of benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde were 0.1 and 0.01% (v/v), respectively. The MBCs of benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde against ACC were 0.2 and 0.02% (v/v), respectively. Also, 0.2% (v/v) levels of cinnamon oil, benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde completely killed ACC cells artificially contaminating watermelon seeds. This study suggests that cinnamon oil and its bioactive components, benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde, have potential for application as natural agents for the prevention and treatment of BFB. Key words: Acidovorax citrulli, bacterial fruit blotch, cinnamon oil, essential oil. #This authors contributed equally to this work
Highlights
One of the most severe diseases of watermelon is bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), which is caused by Acidovorax citrulli (ACC)
Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) of watermelon caused by Acidovorax citrulli (ACC) is one of the most severe diseases of watermelon worldwide
This study suggests that cinnamon oil and its bioactive components, benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde, have potential for application as natural agents for the prevention and treatment of BFB
Summary
One of the most severe diseases of watermelon is bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), which is caused by Acidovorax citrulli (ACC). This disease is one of the major factors limiting yields worldwide (Burdman and Walcott, 2012). The disease was devastating and accounted for 100% loss of marketable fruit (Latin and Hopkins, 1995). Both watermelon seedlings and fruit are highly susceptible to BFB. A lag period occurs between infection and symptom development, and plants may remain asymptomatic for several days or more after infection (Burdman and Walcott, 2012).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
