The effects of essential oils of Elettaria cardamomum, Pistacia atlantica and Eugenia caryophillata on control and expression of some genes of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in Fusarium graminerum

Fusarium graminearum is the causal agent of scab disease in wheat and other small grains. Zearalenone and deoxynivalenol are the main toxins produced by F. graminearum. In this study, the effects of essential oils of Elettaria cardamomum, Pistacia atlantica, and Eugenia caryophillata on F. graminearum growth inhibition and the expression of some genes in deoxynivalenol biosynthetic pathway were investigated.   Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the fungal growth was measured through the microtiter plate method after growing F. graminearum on Potato Dextrose Broth. In addition, the expression of TRI5, TRI6, and TRI14 genes were evaluated using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) technique.   Elettaria cardamomum essential oil had the lowest MIC (100 µl/ml) and the essential oils of P. atlantica and E. caryophillata had the highest MIC (200 µl/ml). Elettaria cardamomum essential oil had the lowest MFC (200 µl/ml) and the highest fungicidal property against  F. graminearum, and the essential oils of P. atlantica and E. caryophillata had the highest MFC value (400 µl/ml). The expression of TRI5, TRI6, and TRI14 genes was significantly decreased by E. cardamomum essential oil.   The results of the study showed that the E. cardamomum essential oil has fungicidal and inhibitory effects against F. graminearum and leads to reduce the expression of TRI5, TRI6, and TRI14 genes relating to deoxynivalenol production.