Efficacy of Leaf Oil from Pimenta racemosa var. racemosa in Controlling Bacterial Wilt of Tomato

Plant Dis. 2018 Jan;102(1):124-131. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-04-17-0593-RE. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Abstract

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is a major plant disease throughout the Caribbean. The ability of the essential oil from Pimenta racemosa var. racemosa to control bacterial wilt of tomato (R. solanacearum, phylotype IIB/4NPB) was investigated. Lemongrass (chemotype 1)-, aniseed (chemotype 2)-, and clove (chemotype 3)-scented chemotypes of P. racemosa var. racemosa essential oil were tested. Six concentrations of emulsified essential oil (from 0.01 to 0.14% [v/v]) were evaluated by in vitro culture amendment assays and by in vivo experiments in greenhouse. Chemotype 3 displayed remarkable in vitro antibacterial activity against R. solanacearum, because the minimum inhibitory concentration was only 0.03%, compared with 0.14% for chemotypes 1 and 2. In greenhouse experiments, no incidence of bacterial wilt was observed in tomato plants grown in soil treated with chemotype 3 of P. racemosa var. racemosa at a concentration of 0.14%. In the untreated control soil, 62% of plants displayed symptoms of bacterial wilt. Treatment with chemotype 3 significantly increased the growth of tomato plants compared with untreated controls. These results suggest that chemotype 3 of P. racemosa var. racemosa essential oil is a good candidate for further development as a soil biofumigant for the control of tomato bacterial wilt.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Martinique
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Pimenta / chemistry*
  • Plant Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Ralstonia solanacearum / drug effects*
  • Ralstonia solanacearum / physiology
  • Solanum lycopersicum / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Oils, Volatile
  • pimenta oil