THE EFFECT OF THYMUS DAENENSIS EXTRACT AGAINST APPLE BLUE MOLD CAUSED BY PENICILLIUM EXPANSUM

Background and Aim:Apple blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum. Although synthetic fungicides are effective to protect against fruit losses, their potential effects on human health and the environment are a concern. Plant extracts are one of several non-chemical control alternatives that inspiring great interest due to their availability, non-toxicity and friendliness to the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Thyme on blue mold apple invitro and invivo conditions.Methods:In this research, the effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Thymus daenensis were studied to control the apple blue mold caused by P. expansum, in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assays included the use of the paper disk and the extracts mixture with medium tests. Finally, the extracts was used in the 4 ° C storage aganist pathogen-infected apples.Results:The result of paper disk test showed the 26.65 and 24.79mm of inhibition zone diameter, for methanolic and aqueous extract, respectively, compared to control with 2mm diameter. The result of the mixed extract with media tests showed the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Thyme inhibit with the rate of 62.49 and 70.71 percent of the pathogen were respectively, in comparison with the control. In vivo test, the spot surface, in the treatment of aqueous and methanolic extracts with a concentration of 6× 1000, reduced 84.52 and 71.12%, respectively, as compared to the control treatment.Conclusion:According to the results of this study, the extract of Thyme had stronge fungicide effect, and it can use as the suitable alternative instead of chemical fungicide.

Keywords:

Blue mold , Cold storage , paper disk method , Thyme extract