Isolation, characterization and control of spp. pathogenic on strawberry in Iran.

This study was performed to identify species pathogenic on strawberry and investigate effect of essential oil (EO) against spp. The infected plant samples were collected in Khorasan Razavi province from strawberry fruits with gray mold disease symptoms. Following purification of the fungi, of the 54 isolates, 53 isolates were identified as and 1 isolate belonged to based on morphological and molecular (ITS and RPB2 sequences) identification. The EO obtained from at 125, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 μg mL concentrations showed significant antifungal effect on mycelial growth of and in a dose dependent manner. Also, the EO at all concentrations tested strongly inhibited spore germination of and Treatment with the EO at EC50 concentration significantly reduced the sclerotia production of and B. Light and electron microscopy observations showed that EO at EC50 concentration caused morphological changes in the fungal structures. This EO reduced the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes, such as cellulase and pectinase produced by both fungal species. A total of 22 compounds were identified in the EO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major compounds of EO were β-Pinene (% 37.7), γ-Terpinene (% 21) and a-pinene (% 12). Moreover, the EO at 500, 750 and 1000 μg mL concentrations considerably reduced the disease severity and infection of strawberry fruits by and According to the results of this study, inhibitory effect of EO was impressive in controlling strawberry postharvest gray mold disease. This is the first report on inhibitory ability of EO against strawberry postharvest gray mold disease, which can be suggested as a preserver coating for the fruits to extend their shelf life during storage period.