Antifungal activity of extracts of eleven medicinal and aromatic plants from Morocco Against Penicillium digitatum, the causal agent of citrus green mold

Ridouane El Guiche1, Oukacha A

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antifungal activity of extracts of 11 plant species, collected in three regions of southern Morocco (Agdz, Tafraout and Taroudant), against Penicillium digitatum, the causal agent of citrus green mold. In vitro, areas with significant inhibition of P. digitatum mycelial growth were recorded for Inula viscosa (38 mm diameter), Thymus leptobotrys (38 mm), Anvillea radiata (31 mm), Bubonium imbricatum (27 mm) and Artemisia herba-alba (22 mm). In vivo, a total inhibition of fungus growth was obtained when the orange fruit was treated with extracts of A. radiata and I. viscosa . The incidence of the disease was also significantly reduced by B. imbricatum and Cistus villosus extracts (60 and 43% respectively). These results permit to consider A. radiata and I. viscosa extracts as potential alternatives to chemical pesticides used in postharvest citrus.