Antifungal activity of bioinputs of botanical origin of Botrytis cinerea Whetzel

Abstract

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is one of the most destructive fungal diseases that affects a wide range of hosts. The use of chemically synthesized fungicides has generated resistance problems and their indiscriminate use has negative effects on human health and the environment. Given this problematic situation, there is a growing interest in the study and use of antifungal substances of plant origin considered safe. In this context, the present work was carried out with the objective of evaluating in vitro the effect of three bioinputs of botanical origin (Origanum vulgare L., Lavandula officinalis L. and Equisetum giganteum L.) on the growth and development of B. cinerea. For which sclerotia and suspensions of conidia of B. cinerea were sown on plates added with the aforementioned bioinputs. The measurement of the diameter of colonies and the observation of fungal structures allowed us to determine that the three bioinsumments stimulate the mycelial development of colonies developed from sclerotia and inhibit the formation of conidia and sclerotia of the pathogen. Consequently, they inhibit the main mechanism of dissemination (conidia) and survival of the pathogen (sclerotia).