ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF SOME ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST POST-HARVEST FRUIT ROT OF SWEET PEPPER

A laboratory experiment was conducted using some essential oils, i.e., Eucalyptus globulus, Eugenia caryophyllata, Cinnamomum cassia and Zingiber officinale to study their effects at different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4% v/v) on the radial growth and spore germinations of, Ulocladium chartarum, Aspargillus niger , Fusarium semitectum and Geotrichum candidum , which were Isolated and identified of postharvest rots pepper fruits obtained from local markets using potato dextrose agar. The obtained results generally indicated that the tested essential oils significantly inhibit growth of the tested fungi. Eugenia caryophyllata oil was the most effective one, followed by Eucalyptus globulus of all tested concentrations, flowed by Cinnamomum cassia and Zingiber officinale oils at high concentrations. Moreover, some of the tested fungi were affected by all used essential oils, while Aspargillus niger was the most resistant fungi. Conclusively; it could be concluded that the tested essential oils were effectively inhibited the growth of the tested fungi that cause postharvest fruit rot diseases of sweet pepper at different concentrations tested (1, 2, 3, 4%). The paper aimed to inhibit evaluate the effects of some salts as natural products on postharvest diseases of sweet pepper fruits under the laboratory conditions and evaluate their effects on the development and suppression of these diseases. To achieve these aims, four different salts i.e. sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium nitrate and calcium chloride was applied at four concentrations, 1, 2, 3 and 4% (w/v). Salt solutions were tested on the mycelial growth and spore germination of Ulocladium chartarum, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium semitectum and Geotrichum candidum. Seven days post incubation, mycelial growth of the tested fungi were completely inhibited by the used salt solutions. Generally, the obtained results indicate a clear impact for most used salts solutions especially sodium salts. Finally, the optimum concentrations of salts under the experiments study conditions for inhibiting of growth of Ulocladium chartarum, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium semitectum, and its spores. Geotrichum candidum were 4, 3, 3, 3% (w/v) for sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium nitrate and calcium chloride, respectively. Conclusively, the optimum concentrations of salts in this study for inhibiting growth of some fungi were 4, 3, 3, 3% (w/v) for sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium nitrate and calcium chloride, respectively.