The aim of the study was a laboratory evaluation of the antifungal effect of leaf extracts from yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) on fungi of the genus Fusarium, major cereal pathogens. The study used 5%, 10%, and 20% concentrations of plant extracts, evaluating their effect on the linear growth of Fusarium avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. sporotrichioides and the percentage of their growth inhibition compared to control. The study also included the assessment of the content of selected biologically active compounds in plant extracts and their impact on the development of the aforementioned pathogenic fungi. The total content of polyphenols and flavonoids in the extracts was assessed by spectrophotometry, and antioxidant activity was determined using the synthetic 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Plant extracts from sage were characterized by the highest polyphenol contents (81.95 mg/mL) and flavonoids (21.12 mg/mL) compared to other plant extracts, and also showed the highest antioxidant activity (102.44 mM Trolox). Wormwood extract contained the lowest amount of phenolic compounds (flavonoids—5.30 mg/mL, polyphenols—43.83 mg/mL). Plant extracts inhibited the mycelia growth of fungal pathogen depending upon the fungus species, type of extract and its concentration. The extracts of sage (S) and tansy (T) plants at a concentration of 20% demonstrated strong inhibitory effect against the tested fungi (the highest inhibition coefficient for S20: 83.53%; T20: 72.58%), while 10% and 5% extracts of these plants were less effective in inhibiting the growth of Fusarium (highest inhibition coefficient for S10: 71.33%; S5: 54.14%; T10: 56.67%; T5: 38.64%). Yarrow (Y) and wormwood (W) extracts showed low fungistatic effect. Their 20% concentration inhibited the development of mycelia growth of fungi at the level of 63.82% (W20) and 67.57% (Y20). The 5% and 10% concentrations of these plant extracts had the weakest effect on the tested fungi (Y5: 34.09; W5: 42.06%; Y10: 45.01%; W10: 57.44%), even stimulating the Fusarium growth compared to the control (Y5: −23.7%). Based on the study, it was found that each species of fungus reacted differently to the addition of the extract to the culture medium and its concentration, however F. avenaceum and F. culmorum were the most sensitive fungi, while the least sensitive was F. graminearum. The results of the research are the preliminary phase for further field tests to determine the fungistatic effect of plant extracts in field conditions, their phytotoxicity and biological stability, as well as the possibility of producing a biopreparation to protect plants against fusariosis.

Crops are subject to yield losses caused by the presence of pests whose species and population diversity are changing with climate warming. The use of agrochemicals is still the most effective method of plant protection against diseases and pests. However, the intensive use of pesticides in some EU countries makes it necessary to search for alternative methods that can be applied in plant protection for consumer and environmental safety. The aim of the study was the laboratory evaluation of the fungistatic effect of extracts of herbal plants occurring in natural state in Poland: horseradish (Armoracia rusticana L.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) and tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) on selected polyphagic phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum coccodes and Fusarium oxysporum). In this study, 5%, 10% and 20% concentrations of herbal water-extract extracts were applied to evaluate their effects on linear growth of fungi and inhibition of their growth relative to control. Total content of polyphenols and flavonoids was assessed in the extracts using spectrophotometry, and their antioxidant activity by applying the synthetic DPPH radical. The plant extracts of tansy and yarrow leaves were characterized by a higher content of polyphenols and flavonoids compared to horseradish leaf extracts; they also had a higher antioxidant activity. Plant extracts inhibited the growth of fungi to a different extent, depending on the species of fungus, type of extract, its concentration and duration of action. The strongest fungistatic effect was recorded for tansy and yarrow extracts, while the weakest for the extract of horseradish leaves. Plant extracts showed the weakest effect against Botrytis cinerea, inhibiting the development of this fungus only during the first days of the experiment. The present research is a preliminary study that will be used in the further to develop a biological preparation for the protection of agricultural and horticultural plants against fungal pathogens.

The primary objective of this investigation was to assess the potential applicability of hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var. sativa) lateral inflorescence extract in mitigating the growth of fungi, including phytopathogens, on agricultural plants. The extract, comprising a blend of biologically active compounds, holds promise for integration into contemporary plant protection methodologies. The research involved a comprehensive analysis of the extract’s chemical composition, encompassing the determination of total polyphenol and flavonoid content (utilizing spectrophotometric methods), antioxidant activity (evaluated through the DPPH method employing synthetic 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical), and cannabinoid content (analyzed using HPLC techniques). Additionally, this study employed the poisoned substrate method to gauge the impact of 5, 10, and 20% extract concentrations on the growth of various microfungi, including Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum coccodes, Fusarium avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. oxysporum, F. sporotrichioides, and Trichoderma koningii. The hemp extract demonstrated a substantial presence of total polyphenolic compounds, with polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations measuring 149.65 mg/mL and 1.55 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the extract contained cannabinoids at a concentration of 0.12%. The most pronounced antifungal activity was observed with the 20% extract, particularly against T. koningii (62.22–84.79%), C. coccodes (61.65–81.82%), and B. cinerea (45.00–75.42%). However, the efficacy of hemp extracts exhibited large differences against Fusarium spp. (3.10–72.95%), dependent on the specific extract and fungus strain. Introduction of hemp extracts to the substrate induced a reduction in substrate pigment and a discernible color alteration in the mycelium to a lighter shade compared to the control. These findings mark the initial phase in the exploration of practical applications for plant extracts, setting the groundwork for subsequent field trials to ascertain the extract’s impact on phytotoxicity and the health status of agricultural plants.

The aim of the paper is to discuss, on the basis of the recent scientific literature, the potential of mycorrhizae as an important biological factor supporting crop production. Mycorrhizal symbiosis is a multifunctional phenomenon, therefore it should play an important role in sustainable and...

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of plant extracts from hemp inflorescences (H10—10% and H20—20%), as well as a mixture of extracts from hemp inflorescences, sage, and tansy leaves (M10—10% and M20—20%) on phytotoxicity and selected physiological and biometric parameters of wheat seedlings, as well as the biological activity of soil in a growth chamber experiment. In all experimental combinations, a low phytotoxicity of the extracts was observed in the form of leaf tip yellowing, classified as first-degree damage or its complete absence. The plant extracts and their mixtures, except for the H20 extract, had an inhibitory effect on the development of fungal pathogens, especially Fusarium spp. The H20 extract increased the fresh and dry weight of root seedlings. The tested extracts also had a positive effect on the chlorophyll content in seedlings. The highest chlorophyll concentrations were recorded for the seedlings sprayed with the M20 extract mixture. The applied plant extracts influenced the activity of soil enzymes. The highest activity of catalase and dehydrogenases was observed after spraying seedlings with M20, while the lowest was recorded after applying H10. Of all the tested groups of soil environment compounds included in the Biolog EcoPlates test, carbohydrates and carboxylic acids were most actively utilized. Conversely, amines and amides constituted the group of compounds utilized the least frequently. The present study demonstrated the high effectiveness of plant extracts on wheat seedlings due to their biocidal action against phytopathogenic fungi and increased biological activity of the soil. This research serves as an initial phase of work, which will aim to verify the results obtained under field conditions, as well as assess the biological stability of the extracts.

Plants are a valuable source of many bioactive compounds. Numerous scientific studies confirm the antimicrobial effect of plant extracts against many phytopathogens, including pathogenic fungi. Currently, the attention is mainly focused on the production of preparations of plant origin containing stable and biodegradable biologically active compounds to control plant diseases. They are also an alternative to the conventional method of protection against pathogens. This review includes the characteristics of the most popular herbal plants (tansy, yarrow, garlic, horseradish, nettle) and the bioactive compounds contained in them, as well as the possibility of their use in plant protection, especially for control of pathogenic fungi. Plants are a valuable source of many bioactive compounds. Numerous scientific studies confirm the antimicrobial effect of plant extracts against many phytopathogens, including pathogenic fungi. Currently, the attention is mainly focused on the production of preparations of plant origin containing stable and biodegradable biologically active compounds to control plant diseases. They are also an alternative to the conventional method of protection against pathogens. This review includes the characteristics of the most popular herbal plants (tansy, yarrow, garlic, horseradish, nettle) and the bioactive compounds contained in them, as well as the possibility of their use in plant protection, especially for control of pathogenic fungi.