Research Article

Antifungal Effects of Funneliformis mosseae and Plant Essential Oils in the Biological Management of Fusarium Wilt in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Volume: 29 Number: 2 January 21, 2026
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Antifungal Effects of Funneliformis mosseae and Plant Essential Oils in the Biological Management of Fusarium Wilt in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

This study presents the first comprehensive evaluation of the synergistic and antagonistic interactions between Funneliformis mosseae and plant essential oils in the biological control of Fusarium oxysporum in pepper. This research was conducted in two distinct stages, aiming to establish a viable biocontrol approach against the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum (Fo). Initially, under in vivo conditions, the disease mitigation potential of argan oil (Ao), black seed oil (Bo), and juniper oil (Jo) was assessed at concentrations of 1% and 3%, identifying the most potent concentration for subsequent experimentation. This study was conducted in a controlled climate chamber (temperature: 23 ± 2 °C, relative humidity: 60–70%, light-dark cycle: 14/10 h). Researchers investigated the effects of Funneliformis mosseae (Fm), alone and combined with selected essential oils, on the growth and disease severity of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. The treatments also resulted in significant increases in mycorrhizal colonization rates and spore densities in the soil. The data obtained showed that F. mosseae inoculation and the application of 3% black seed, juniper, and argan oil significantly increased the growth and biomass of pepper plants under Fusarium oxysporum stress. The Fo+Fm application reduced disease severity by 77% and increased root colonization, chlorophyll content, and nutrient uptake. However, the Fo+Bo+Fm combination only provided 54% suppression, demonstrating that the essential oil (Bo) antagonized AMF performance rather than enhancing it, resulting in lower root colonization, reduced chlorophyll content, and diminished nutrient uptake compared to Fo+Fm. Current findings show that the interaction between F. mosseae and plant essential oils is usually not synergistic. It depends on the specific compound and can even be antagonistic. The Fo+Bo+Fm combination resulted in less disease suppression and fewer physiological gains than Fo+Fm. This suggests that black cumin oil can change the interaction from complementary to competitive. These variable responses emphasize that the ecological performance of AMF-essential oil combinations cannot be predicted in advance. Therefore, each essential oil type and concentration should be individually validated and evaluated under the specific plant–pathogen interaction conditions. These findings inform the optimization of sustainable agricultural practices and biological control strategies, laying the foundation for future studies at both the molecular and ecological levels.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Phytopathology

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

January 21, 2026

Publication Date

January 21, 2026

Submission Date

September 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 29 Number: 2

APA
Güneş, H. (2026). Antifungal Effects of Funneliformis mosseae and Plant Essential Oils in the Biological Management of Fusarium Wilt in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım Ve Doğa Dergisi, 29(2), 335-352. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1779458


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