Control of anthracnose (Elsinoë ampelina) in grapevines with Eucalyptus staigeriana essential oil

Elsinoë ampelina, the causal agent of grapevine anthracnose, infects all aerial parts of the plant, causing severe grapes production losses. Essential oils, as natural antifungal product, are amongst the most promising natural plant protection alternatives because they are recognized as safe substances and show high antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi. The present study aimed to determine Eucalyptus staigeriana essential oil effect in vitro and in vivo against E. ampelina. The essential oil exhibited antifungal activity inhibiting mycelial growth and conidial germination at 0.15 and 1 µL mL−1 concentrations, respectively. Moreover, essential oil application in vivo reduced the disease incidence by 40% and severity by more than 60% in preventive treatment, and in curative treatment, the incidence was reduced by exceeding 30% and severity by more than 80%. The present results indicated that E. staigeriana essential oil could be a natural fungicidal product for controlling anthracnose caused by E. ampelina in grapevines.