As a follow-up to previous studies, the effects of Thymus vulgaris essential oil on selected virulence factors (growth, sessile cell survival, swimming, swarming, and exopolysaccharide production) were evaluated in phytopathogenic Pseudomonas syringae strains isolated from soybean fields in Argentina; reference strains Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. glycinea B076 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. P. syringae are responsible for bacterial blight, a disease that affects crops worldwide. Plant bacterioses are usually treated with antibiotics and copper compounds, which may contribute to the development of resistance in pathogens and damage the environment. For these reasons, eco-friendly alternatives are necessary. Although aromatic plants are a natural source of antimicrobial substances, the effects of these substances on phytopathogenic bacteria remain largely unexplored. Subinhibitory concentrations of the oil significantly reduced the slope and rate of bacterial growth. In addition, biofilm and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production were inhibited, with swimming and swarming motility patterns being affected at all of the oil concentrations tested. Therefore, TEO could potentially be a highly efficient antipseudomonal agent for treating plant infections caused by P. syringae.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important cereals worldwide, but is affected by various bacterial diseases, including bacterial leaf blight caused by Pseudomonas syringae, that decrease productivity significantly. The indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides for disease management has led to environmental contamination, development of resistance and health risks, highlighting the need for alternative and environmentally friendly solutions. In this study, phytopathogenic Pseudomonas were isolated from symptomatic wheat leaves collected in Córdoba province (Argentina). The isolates were phenotypically identified using biochemical tests and the LOPAT scheme, confirming their classification within Group I of P. syringae. Pathogenicity tests verified their ability to induce typical leaf blight symptoms, and nine isolates were positive for the production of syringomycin, a phytotoxin associated with host tissue necrosis. The antimicrobial activity of different phytochemical preparations obtained from Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare (decoctions, alcoholic, hexanic, chloroformic and propanolic extracts, as well as essential oils (EOs)) against the isolated and reference strains of P. syringae was evaluated. Disk diffusion assays revealed that thyme and oregano EOs exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects compared to the other phytochemical preparations tested. Antimicrobial activity assays by broth microdilution technique confirmed the antibacterial potency of thyme EO (MIC = 1.43–22.99 mg/mL) and oregano EO (MIC = 2.89–23.13 mg/mL). These results demonstrated the efficacy of T. vulgaris and O. vulgare EOs as natural antimicrobial agents, suggesting their potential application as sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides for the control of bacterial leaf blight in wheat crops.