Fungitoxic potential of essential oils of Schinus molle L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi against pathogenic fungi of tomato

Abstract

Natural products have been in focus as ecological and safe materials against phytopathogens, besides presenting low environmental impact. Among these, essential oils have presented antimicrobial action proved, enabling their use in pathogen control. In this study, essential oils of leaves and fruits of Schinus molle and Schinus terebinthifolius were tested against the phytopathogens Alternaria solani, Septoria lycopersici and Stemphylium solani, which causes foliar diseases on tomatoes and are responsible for great economic losses regarding production. Essential oils antifungal action was tested in vitro with concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 20.0μL mL-1. All essential oils inhibited the growth of phytopathogenic fungi tested, varying in concentration and target species, with the exception of essential oil of S.terebinthifolius fruits for A.solani. Essential oil of S.molle leaf, characterized by the presence of α-pinene, is the most effective inhibitor, showing inhibition between 59.46% and 66.1 3% at 20.0 μL mL-1 concentration.