Effect of essential oil of Mentha piperita on growth, morphology and pectinase activity of Macrophomina phaseolina

Macrophomina phaseolina is a soil and seed borne fungal pathogen that causes root rot disease in more than 500 plant species but no registered fungicide is available for its control. Recently the essential oils as a new method and replace for the control of plant diseases have been accepted. The present study was carried out to investigate the antifungal activity of essential oil of Mentha piperita on growth, morphology and pectinase activity of M. phaseolina. Growth rate decreases with increasing concentration. No growth was observed at concentrations of more than 1000ppm. Also, increasing of essential oil concentration changes in the morphology and structure M. phaseolina. In section survey of enzyme activity, the essential oil reduces pectinase activity but over time, the effect of essential oil decreased. The results of this Evaluation of indicate that compounds found in essential oil to reduce fungal growth and enzyme activity.

Macrophomina phaseolina, Mentha piperita, essential oil, pectinase