Evaluation Efficacy of Some Agents as Safe Alternatives to Fungicides in Management Root-rot and Wilt Diseases of Artemisia absinthium and A. santonicum

Abstract

This study was planned to evaluate biocides, elicitors and essential oils as alternative agents to fungicides against root rot and wilt diseases of wormwood plants. Fusarium oxysporum, F. semitectum, F. solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani were isolated from infected plants with root and stem rot and wilt diseases.Infected plants were collected from different localities of Qaluobiya governorate. Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and R. solani were the most pathogenic fungi to A. santonicum unrooted cuttings in pathogenicity trials, while F. solani and P. ultimum were the most pathogenic fungi to A. absinthium unrooted cuttings. Also, both Artemisia species were infected by other isolated fungi. In vitro study showed that garlic essential oil and elicitor (H2O2) were the most active treatments against all tested fungi. Under greenhouse conditions, carbendazim (fungicide) and H2O2 completely prevented infection of A. santonicum rooted and unrooted cuttings in the presence of F. oxysporum. Also, carbendazim (fungicide) and H2O2 completely prevented infection of A. absinthiumrooted and unrooted cuttings in the presence of P. ultimum. Bio-Cure F and garlic essential oilwere superior treatments to improve plant growth parameters (plant height, number of branches and fresh and dry weights), also, Bio-Cure F and H2O2 were the best treatments in improving essential oil yield of both Artemisia species. In conclusion, using any of Bio-Cure F (biocide) or H2O2 or garlic essential oil as safe alternative to fungicide agents against root rot and wilt diseases to plants of Artemisia absinthium and A. santonicum is preferable.