Plant-Derived Essential Oils and Aqueous Extract as Potential Ingredients for a Biopesticide: Phytotoxicity in Soybean and Activity against Soybean Mosaic Virus

CAREZZANO M. E.;; REYNA, G; ACOTTO MARDARAS, E; GIORDANO W; OLIVA, M DE LAS M.; RODRIGUEZ PARDINA, P; SABINI, C

Processes

MDPI

Año: 2023

2227-9717

Soybean mosaic disease, caused by the soybean mosaic virus (SMV), is responsible for majorlosses in yield and seed quality worldwide. Although resistant cultivars are used for its preventionand control, an alternative strategy could consist of applying environmentally friendly antimicrobialagents, such as extracts and essential oils (EOs) of aromatic plants. This study assessed an extract of Achyrocline satureioides and EOs of Minthostachys verticillata, Origanum vulgare, and Thymus vulgaris in terms of their phytotoxicity in soybean. Since all the concentrations tested were found to be safe, the activity of each product against SMV was then assayed in vivo, i.e., in experimentally infected soybean plants. The parameters measured were plant height, wet weight, and virus titer. All the treated plants had a greater height and weight than those in the viral control group. The EOs of M. verticillata (0.80 mg/mL) and T. vulgaris (0.71 mg/mL) inhibited the production of viral antigens, as determined by an ELISA test. These findings could encourage further studies aimed at developing an effective biopesticide against SM