Antifungal Effects of Three Plant Essential Oils Against Botrytis cinerea: The Cause of Gray Mold on Strawberry

Post-harvest agricultural products are damaged as a result of fungal infections. This damage is estimated on about 20% of strawberries. Chemical fungicides are used usually to control these infections, but these synthetic chemicals are commonly harmful for human health. It is expected that some plant extracts or essential oils can be used against fungal agents instead of the chemicals. The most common fungus disease of strawberries is gray mold (Botrytis cinerea). Three essential oils of Satureja hortensis, Zataria multiflora and Carum copticom were tested at first in vitro on PDA with three concentrations 100, 200 and 300 ppm for control of the mycelium growth of Botrytis cinerea. After that, strawberries were inoculated in spore solution (106 spores per ml) and then treated with three essential oil solutions and a fungicide (Iprodion+ Carbendazim 52.5%). The results showed that a 200 ppm concentration of all three essential oils was able to effectively control the growth of the Botrytis mycelium on both PDA and the actual fruit.