Antifungal Activity Of Essential Oils Research Articles

Antifungal Activities of Essential Oils in Vapor Phase against Botrytis cinerea and Their Potential to Control Postharvest Strawberry Gray Mold.

Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants seem to have the potential to control several fungal pathogens and food contaminants. Botrytis cinerea is the main strawberry fruit contaminant causing high losses during storage. Here, thirteen EOs applied in the vapor phase were evaluated for their potential to inhibit the growth of three different strains of B. cinerea isolated from strawberry fruits. Eight EOs (lemongrass, litsea, lavender, peppermint, mint, petitgrain, sage, and thyme) were able to completely inhibit the growth of B. cinerea for 7 days when applied at a concentration of 625 μL·L−1. Four EOs with the lowest minimal inhibition concentrations (thyme, peppermint, lemongrass, and litsea) have been tested on strawberry fruits intentionally inoculated by B. cinerea. All four EOs showed high inhibition at a concentration of 250 or 500 μL·L−1, but only peppermint EO was able to completely inhibit B. cinerea lesion development at a concentration of 125 μL·L−1. The sensory evaluation of strawberries treated by EOs at a concentration 125 μL·L−1 resulted in a statistically significant decrease in taste, aftertaste, aroma, and overall quality. Lemongrass and litsea EOs scored better than thyme and peppermint ones, thus forming two viable methods for B. cinerea suppression and the extension of packed strawberries’ shelf life.

​Antifungal Activity of Essential oil Extracted from Kaempferia galanga L. Rhizome against Fungal Phytopathogens

Background: Fungal phytopathogens are one of the main causes of deterioration of plant growth and productivity. Reliability of farmers on chemical fungicides poses a threat to humans and the environment. Therefore, exploration and uses of green and biological alternatives should be encouraged in the field of agriculture in order to maintain the overall health of a country. Plant essential oil is one such alternative that is currently researched and holds promises in unlocking the solution to this problem. Methods: Effect of the oil extracted from K. galanga by hydro-distillation against fungal phytopathogens isolated from different plant parts were tested using two different methods of inhibition viz., by direct contact method (M1) and volatile/fumigation method (M2). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) for both methods were also determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to show the effect of oil on the physiology of the pathogens. Result: MIC was in the range 1.5-6 µl mL-1 for M1, whereas for M2 the MIC was in the range 2-10 µl mL-1 air. The MFC for M1 ranges from 2-6 µl mL-1, with the exception of Fusarium sp. and Cercospora sp. However for volatile/ fumigation assay, the MFC could not be determined. Thus the effectiveness of the oil for inhibiting the phytopathogens differ for different fungi and the methods used.

Evaluation of the Antifungal effects of Rosemary Oil and comparison with Nystatin on the Growth of Candida species isolates from HIV/AIDS patients with Oral Candidiasis

Background: Oral candidiasis is an infection due to the activity of Candida albicans in the oral cavity. Oral candidiasis is one of the most common opportunistic infections occuring among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Due to increasing resistance and adverse effects to commonly used antifun¬gal drugs, many recent studies have examined the use of herbal essential oils as antifungal agents. In this study, essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) and nystatin were examined for in vitro antifungal activ¬ity against Candida species. Aim: To evaluate antifungal activity of essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) and nystatin by comparing inhibition zone diameters. Methods: This study was an experimental laboratory study with a posttest only design conducted in Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya. Forty isolates consisted of 20 isolates of Candida albicans and Candida non-albicans were subjected to test for antifungal activity using the diffusion disk method using paper discs or blank discs and inhibitory zones were recorded. Results: Diffusion test results revealed stronger antifungal effect of nystatin against all analyzed Candida strains. This study showed the mean diameter of the inhibitory zone for Candida albicans formed by rosemary essential oil is 2.25 mm and the average inhibition zone formed by rosemary essential oil for Candida non-albicans is 1.5 mm. Conclusion: The antifungal activity of nystatin is stronger when compared to rosemary essential oil as seen from a greater inhibition zone than rosemary essential oil in the diffusion method.

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST RHIZOPUS STOLONIFER

Nowadays, it is very important to find out the protection of plant products as an alternative to synthetic fungicides. The promising alternative is the use of the essential oils (EOs). The aim of our research was to evaluate the antifungal effect of angelica (Angelica archangelica L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller.), camphore (Cinnamonum camphorum Nees & Eberm), litsea (Litsea deccanensis L.), cumin (Carum carvi L.), dill (Anethum graveolens L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), mint (citrate) (Mentha citrata L.), mint (piperita) (Mentha piperita L.), laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.) EOs against three isolates of the genus Rhizopus obtained from moldy plants source the chemical composition of selected EOs was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC – MS) and by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC – FID). The antifungal activity of EOs against the growth of Rhizopus spp. was investigated by gas diffusion method (625 μL/L of air). The mycelium growth inhibition was measured on the 2nd, 4th, and 7th days of cultivation. Six EOs: litsea, mint (citrata), mint (piperita), cumin, thyme and cinnamon completely inhibited the growth of all tested fungi. For these EOs the minimum inhibitory doses were determined. According to probit analyses, the most effective tested EO was thyme and the least effective was cumin. Our results indicated that EOs are effective in the vapor phase and had a potential antifungal activity against Rhizopus stolonifer strains. So, they could be utilized in novel biological fungicide development.

Efecto de los niveles de salinidad sobre la actividad antifúngica del aceite esencial de Thymus contra Fusarium oxysporum

Thyme (Thymus sp.), a medicinal plant of the family Lamiaceae, is used in traditional medicine, contains a wide array of medicinally active components, in their great majority of a rather complex mixture of thymol, ρ-Cymene, γ-Terpinene, β-Caryophyllen, etc. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Thymus vulgaris extract against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.radicis-lycopersici strain under saline conditions, assuming soil with high salt content of the arid regions. Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation technique using a Clevenger apparatus. The essential oil compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis. Antifungal activity of essential oil against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici was investigated by agar dilution method. The main constituents of thyme essential oil were thymol (76.96 %), ρ-cymene (9.89 %) and γ-Terpinene (1.92 %). Essential oil from Thymus resented high in vitro activity, in controlling conidial germination and mycelial growth. However, the oil was significantly not active against the spore production under a salinity medium. The results showed that mycelial growth was stimulated in concentrations with 0.6 -1.5 %. In contrast, it was significantly reduced at a higher concentration (2 %). The application of NaCl caused a significant increase in the conidia production at various concentrations tested. NaCl has a minor inhibitory effect on conidial germination only when the concentration was 2 %. The results of this study indicate that salinity decreases the efficacy of essential oil against the pathogen.

Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from the Roots of Tinomiscium petiolare

Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from the Roots of Tinomiscium petiolare

CHEMICAL EXAMINATION AND IN VITRO ANTIFUGAL CHRACTERIZATION OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM AERIAL PARTS OF SWERTIA PETIOLATA D. DON

Objective: The aim of this research work was to evaluate the important phytochemical and their antifungal activity against crops pathogens from essential of Swertia petiolata. Methods: The phytochemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil from aerial parts of Swertia petiolata D. Don obtained from hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC/GC-MS analysis in relation with their Kavot indices and mass spectra and their antifungal activity by disk diffusion method. Results: The oil is rich in monoterpenoids and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids. A total of 39 chemical constituents were identified representing 87.50% and major chemical constituents were identified as n-tetradecanal (15.16%), isopropylcyclohexene (13.58%), trimethylsilylpalmitate (12.50%), longipianol (7.76%), n-eocosane (7.46%), z-patchenal (4.40%), guaiadienal (4.07%), and heptadecanal (3.86%) whereas oxygenated monoterpenoids were minor constituents. The antifungal activity was studied by disk diffusion method with 57.63±0.10% and 44.34±0.13% mycelial growth inhibition. The oil was active against Bipolaris maydis and Rhizoctonia solani at concentration of 2.5μg/μL while, Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata were least active for this oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration and IC50 showed a range from 1.2 μg/μL to 1.8 μg/μL as compared with standard fungicides (Amphotericin and Clotrimazole) with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 μg/μL to 0.9 μg/μL and 0.5 μg/μL to 1.5 μg/μL. Conclusions: The essential oil dominated by n-tetradecanal (15.16%), isopropylcyclohexene (13.58%), trimethylsilylpalmitate (12.50%), longipianol (7.76%), n-eocosane (7.46%), z-patchenal (4.40%), and guaiadienal (4.07%) as the major components from aerial parts which showed a marked antifungal activity against Bipolaris maydis and Rhizoctonia solani.

In vitro antifungal activity of essential oils against Botrytis cinerea of postharvest grapes

Botrytis cinerea is a widespread pathogen that infects a wide variety of plants. Postharvest grape infects with B. cinerea results in fruit rot and drop. In this study, the inhibitory effect of 30 kinds of plant essential oils on B. cinerea was investigated through in vitro experiments, and the types and concentrations of essential oils with the best inhibitory effect on B. cinerea of postharvest grapes were screened. The results showed that 10 essential oils completely inhibited the growth of B. cinerea when the concentration of essential oils was 1000 μL/L. After reducing the concentration of these 10 essential oils to 500 μL/L, 5 essential oils showed continuous fungistasis effect on B. cinerea. The concentration of these five essential oils dropped to 250 μL/L, and only garlic essential oil showed long-lasting antifungal benefit. But which showed no long-lasting antifungal benefit at 125 μL/L. Therefore, garlic essential oil higher than 125 μL/L has sustained antifungal effect on B. cinerea, which can be used for postharvest preservation and storage of grapes.

Impact of Silver Nanoparticles on Lemon Growth Performance: Insecticidal and Antifungal Activities of Essential Oils From Peels and Leaves.

Ten-year-old lemon (Citrus limon L. cv. Eureka) was used during the 2019 and 2020 seasons to investigate the effect of AgNPs at control, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/L as a foliar application on vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality. The selected trees were subjected to agricultural practices applied in the field during the study. The results indicated that the foliar application of AgNPs positively improved the shoot length, total chlorophyll, flower, and fruit set percentage, fruit yield, physical and chemical characteristics of fruits, and leaf mineral composition from macro and micronutrients compared to control in both seasons. The foliar application of AgNPs at 10 mg/L showed the highest mean values followed by 7.5 and 5 mg/L, respectively, for the previous characteristics. The treated leaves and fruit peels were hydrodistillated to extract the essential oils (EOs), and GC–MS analysis of leaf EOs. The analysis of leaves EOs showed the presence of neral, geranial, neryl acetate, and limonene as the main abundant bioactive compounds. While in peel the main compounds were neral, geranial, neryl acetate, D-limonene, geraniol acetate, linalool, and citronellal. Toxin effect of both EOs from leaves and peels were evaluated on the rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) and the results indicated a higher effect of lemon peel EOs than leaves based on mortality percentage and the values of LC50 and LC95 mg/L. Melia azedarach wood samples loaded with the produced lemon EOs were evaluated for their antifungal activity against the molecularly identified fungus, Fusarium solani (acc # OL410542). The reduction in mycelial growth was increased gradually with the applied treatments. The most potent activity was found in lemon leaf EOs, while peel EOs showed the lowest reduction values. The mycelial growth reduction percentages reached 72.96 and 52.59%, by 0.1% leaf and peel EOs, respectively, compared with control.

BIOACTIVITY OF CINNAMON ESSENTIAL OIL

The interest in using antifungal instead of chemical preservatives in fruits and food products has been increasing in recent years. Regarding essential oils natural and liquid secondary plant metabolites are gaining importance of their use in the protection of foods. Since, they are safe and healthy. Cinnamon bark and leaf oils are selected essential oil. The antifungal activity of essential oil are mostly depend on its chemical constituents present in it which does not allowed the fungal hyphae and mycelium to grow in certain time of period. These oils are mainly used in pharmaceutical in order to preserve certain living entities. The phytochemicals present in this plant are mostly used for antifungal, antibacterial, antihistaminic, antipyretic etc. A review provides an overview of the current literature on cinnamon essential oils mainly antifungal activity, antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity, anti-mycotoxigenic activity.

Chemical profile and antifungal activity of essential oil from the flower of Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud.

Bauhinia rufa is one of the species found inhabiting the Cerrado domain. Annually this plant species presents flowering with a light sweet aroma. The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical profile and antifungal activity of the essential oil of B. rufa flowers on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Coletotrichum gloeosporioides and Aspergillus flavus. Flowers were collected in the early hours of the morning, being sent to the laboratory for extraction and yield of essential oil by the Clevenger-type system. The chemical profile of the essential oil was obtained by gas chromatography with mass detector (GC-MS), and for antifungal activity, sequences of concentrations 100, 50, 25, 12.5; 6.25; 3.13 and 1.56 µL mL-1 on strains of S. sclerotiorum, C. gloeosporioides and A. flavus. The essential oil of B. rufa showed a yield of 0.05%, 28 compounds identified, the majority being Myrcene (8.27%), O-Cymene (31.14%), 1,2-dimethyl-4-ethyl-benzene (13.08%), Trans-Pinocarveol (12.55%) and Kryptone with (8.94%). The antifungal activity showed the best results for S. sclerotiorum and C. gloeosporioides where they exhibited fungistatic activity between 100 and 54.84% at all concentrations. For A. flavus, the best inhibition concentrations were observed between 100 to 25 µL-1 with 100%, and in the lowest concentrations of 12.5 and 6.25 µL-1 with 40.55 and 10.08%, no inhibition was observed at concentrations 3.13 and 1.56 µL-1. The essential oil of B. rufa showed richness in chemical compounds and effective fungicidal action.

Chemical Constituents and Antifungal Activities of Essential Oil of Entada abyssinica from Nigeria

Chemical Constituents and Antifungal Activities of Essential Oil of Entada abyssinica from Nigeria

In vitro Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils of Some Medicinal Plants on Phytopathogenic Strains in the Kisangani Region (DRC)

Purpose: The present study evaluates the antifungal activity of essential oils of Curcuma longa and Eucalyptus globulus on strains of Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Pseudocercospora fijiensis in the Kisangani region (DR Congo).
 Methods: The essential oils were obtained after extraction by the hydro distillation method. The isolation of strains of L. theobromae was made from the fragments of mesocarp taken from the diseased cocoa, previously cut with a Scarpel and then disinfected with bleach water, while the strains of P. fijiensis were obtained by the method of discharging ascospores on agar medium
 (H2O Agar) and then transplanting on potato dextrose agar (PDA). In addition, inhibition of mycelial growth on a PDA was used as a method to assess the sensitivity of strains to the essential oils of the medicinal plants studied.
 Results: The results obtained show that the essential oils of the rhizomes of C. longa and the leaves of E. globulus showed a low yield of essential oils (EOs) of 0.50% and 0.48% respectively. However, the EOs of the rhizomes of C. longa and the leaves of E. globulus exhibited inhibitory action on the mycelial growth of strains of L. theobromae and P. fijiensis.
 Conclusion: The ANOVA test applied to the mean mycelial growth values of these two strains (L. theobromae and P. fijiensis) on the Eos of C. longa showed that the difference is not significant (p-value = 0.47). In addition, there is also no significant difference (p-value = 0.51) between the mean mycelial growth values of these two fungal strains on the essential oil of E. globulus.

Evaluation of the antifungal activity of essential oils against Alternaria alternata causing fruit rot of Eriobotrya japonica

Abstract Objectives The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of essential oils against fungal pathogens including the chemical analysis (GC-MS) of the most effective essential oil. Methods The antifungal effect of essential oils was assessed after morpho-molecular identification of Alternaria alternata. Mycelial growth inhibition (%) in in vitro treatment of eight essential oils at different concentrations was observed against A. alternata. Fungitoxicity assay was done following chemical composition analysis by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Direct application of thyme oil was performed on healthy fruits against A. alternata. Results All eight essential oils showed mycelial growth inhibition at different levels, whereas thyme oil was found more efficacious against A. alternata. Chemical composition analysis detected 32 components and thymol was found in a higher percentage. Direct application of the most significant concentration of thyme oil was found effective against A. alternata with a varying decrease in decaying percentage. Conclusions Investigation of this study proved thyme oil as a potential and eco-friendly botanical fungicide effectively used against A. alternata on loquat fruit. The current study explored that thyme oil could be potentially used against A. alternata and its compounds could be further investigated for the development of eco-friendly approaches for the control of postharvest fruit rots.

Chemical compositions and in vitro antifungal activities of essential oils obtained from different Origanum species against postharvest gray mold rot of persimmon fruit

ISHS VII International Symposium on Persimmon Chemical compositions and in vitro antifungal activities of essential oils obtained from different Origanum species against postharvest gray mold rot of persimmon fruit

Chemical composition, antifungal and antioxidant activities of wild and cultivated Origanum compactum essential oils from the municipality of Chaoun, Morocco

Origanum compactum is a medicinal species endemic to Morocco and highly exploited for its therapeutic properties. In the present study, we examined the chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oils from wild and cultivated O. compactum. The chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The yield of essential oils was 3.5% for the wild plants and 3.4% for the cultivated plants. Twelve compounds have been identified in the essential oils of wild plants. Carvacrol was the predominant compound (59.0%), followed by p-cymene (18.4%) and then by γ-terpinene (8.4%). For the cultivated plants, 27 compounds were identified. Here again, carvacrol was the predominant compound (45.3%), followed by p-cymene (22.2%) and by γ-terpinene (10.1%). The antifungal activity of essential oils was evaluated against four Candida strains using the aromatogram method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). In semi-solid medium, essential oils were active against all the strains tested. In liquid medium, MIC values ranged from 216 to 234 μg/ml, while the MFC was 288 μg/ml. Antioxidant activity was investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1,1,picrylhydrazil radical (DPPH) and the findings showed that the essential oils of both plants have a good antioxidant effect. In conclusion, domestication is a practical approach to preserve O. compactum from extinction without compromising its biological activities. Besides, the essential oils of O. compactum could be a promising and sustainable alternative to replace the synthetic compounds used currently in pharmaceutical and food industries.

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Four Essential Oils Collected in the North-East of Tunisia

This work aimed to determine the essential oil composition and their biological activities of four local medicinal plant species (Pinus halepensis, Tetraclinis articulata, Juniperus phoenicea and Juniperus oxycedrus) widely planted in the same geographical site. Essential oil isolation was isolated using hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was based on GC/MS analysis. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of essential oils were assessed against 8 pathogenic bacteria and 4 yeast, and 3 different tests were used. GC/MS results showed that essential oil chemical composition is highly affected by plant species (P<0.001). GC/MS identification revealed that β-phellandrene (21.8%), β-caryophyllene (37.2%), α-pinene (24.7%) and camphor (22.4%) were identified as the major compounds of J. phoenicea, P. halepensis, J. oxycedrus and T. articulata essential oils, respectively. Interestingly, two volatile compounds: β-pinene and p-cymen-8-ol were present in all isolated essential oils with similar concentrations: 0.8 and 0.5% of the total identified componenents. Antibacterial results suggested that essential oils were efficient in arresting the growth of most tested bacteria with different extent depending on the studied plant and bacterial strains. Interestingly, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most resistant bacterium and Shigella sonnei was the most sensible to tested essential oils. Indeed, the lowest and the highest inhibition diameters were recorded for latter bacterial strains, respectively. Concerning the antifungal activity, results showed interesting efficiency against tested Candida strains. The most susceptible yeast was Candida glabrata, and the most resistant strain was Candida krusei, as the inhibition zone diameter generated by tested essential oils were the lowest and were limited to 13 mm (J. oxycedrus).

Antifungal activity of Mentha × Piperita L. essential oil

The objective of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and in vitro antifungal activity of Mentha × Piperita L. (peppermint) essential oil (EO) against some plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Penicillium expansum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Rhizopus stolonifer). Antifungal activity of EO against the selected fungi was conducted using the agar diffusion method by adding peppermint EO concentrations (0, 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 2000 ppm). The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of peppermint EO showed that the main constituent was menthol (36.4%), followed by menthone (27.7%) and menthyl acetate (11.2%). The mycelium growth of the selected fungi was significantly inhibited by peppermint EO. Light and electron microscopy studies showed that mycelium morphology was seriously changed after treatment with peppermint essential oil. The level of malondialdehyde illustrated that peppermint EO led to lipid peroxidation in the fungal pathogens. Therefore, due to its antifungal properties, peppermint EO can be used as an additive in the food industry and as an active substance in pharmaceuticals.

Essential oils of Lippia gracilis and Lippia sidoides chemotypes and their major compounds carvacrol and thymol: nanoemulsions and antifungal activity against Lasiodiplodia theobromae

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) of Lippia gracilis and Lippia sidoides accessions, their major compounds and nanoemulsions. Nanoemulsions with 18% of EO or major compound were produced by spontaneous emulsification method. The EO of two L. gracilis accessions (LGRA-106 and LGRA-109) and two L. sidoides accessions (LSID-102 and LSID-104) were extracted by hydrodistillation and the major compounds thymol and carvacrol were purchased commercially. Antifungal activity was tested against Lasiodiplodia theobromae by calculating the percentage of inhibition of mycelial growth caused by different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mL.L-1), in relation to the control. The EOs and their respective nanoemulsions presented as major compounds thymol (LGRA-106: 61.84% and Nano-106: 63.43%; LSID-102: 64.07% and Nano-102: 83.03%) or carvacrol (LGRA-109: 54.56% and Nano-109: 45.63%; LSID-104: 69.06% and Nano-104: 38.66%). Nano-104 presented 35.91% of an unidentified compound. The fungicidal activity of the EOs was similar to that of the major compounds, with a minimum fungicidal concentration of 1.0 mL.L-1 for LGRA-106, LSID-102 as well as for thymol, and 0.5 mL.L-1 for LGRA-109, LSID-104 as well as for carvacrol. The nanoemulsions were only able to reduce the mycelial growth of the fungus except for Nano-104 that exhibited fungicidal activity at the concentration of 10 ml.L-1. It was possible to observe that the EOs exhibited greater toxicity against L. theobromae than the nanoemulsions. These results can help in the development of products for the control of this important phytopathogen.

Essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia elicits expression of three SbWRKY transcription factors and defense-related genes against sorghum damping-off

Sorghum damping-off, caused by Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., is a serious disease which causes economic loss in sorghum production. In this study, antagonistic activity of lavender essential oil (EO) at 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.6% against F. solani was studied in vitro. Their effects on regulation of three SbWRKY transcription factors, the response factor JERF3 and eight defense-related genes, which mediate different signaling pathways, in sorghum were investigated. Effects of application under greenhouse conditions were also evaluated. The results showed that lavender EO possesses potent antifungal activity against F. solani. A complete inhibition in the fungal growth was recorded for lavender EO at 1.6%. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis revealed that EO antifungal activity is most likely attributed to linalyl anthranilate, α-terpineol, eucalyptol, α-Pinene, and limonene. Observations using transmission electron microscopy revealed many abnormalities in the ultrastructures of the fungal mycelium as a response to treating with lavender EO, indicating that multi-mechanisms contributed to their antagonistic behavior. Results obtained from Real-time PCR investigations demonstrated that the genes studied were overexpressed, to varying extents in response to lavender EO. However, SbWRKY1 was the highest differentially expressed gene followed by JERF3, which suggest they play primary role(s) in synchronously organizing the transcription-regulatory-networks enhancing the plant resistance. Under greenhouse conditions, treating of sorghum grains with lavender EO at 1.5% prior to infection significantly reduced disease severity. Moreover, the growth parameters evaluated, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were all enhanced. In contrast, lipid peroxidation was highly reduced. Results obtained from this study support the possibility of using lavender EO for control of sorghum damping-off. However, field evaluation is highly needed prior to any usage recommendation.