Individual and Combined Antifungal Activities of Artemisia herba alba and Ammoides verticillata Essential Oils against the Three Main Pathogenic Microorganisms of Potato

Background: Potatoes are extremely important compared to other vegetable crops. Several species of fungi cause severe damage to different components of the plant (leaves, stems, and tubers), leading to significant losses during cultivation and even after harvest. In the framework of the investigation for alternative methods against the proliferation of these fungi, the present work focuses on the study of the antifungal effect of essential oils of some plants that could be used to solve these problems without the use of harmful chemical substances. Aim and Purpose: This study aims to discuss the chemical composition of essential oils of Artemisia herba alba and Ammoides verticillata and evaluate their in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities in order to prevent fungal diseases of potatoes and replace chemical pesticides that cause neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: Essential oils extracted from the aerial parts of the plants Artemesia herba alba and Ammoides verticillata were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and tested individually and in combination for their antifungal effects against Fusarium solani, Penicillium expansum, and Aspergillus flavus, by the radial growth technique. Results: The essential oil of A. herba alba was mainly composed of hydrocarbon monoterpenes (80.8%), while the oil of A. verticillata was mainly composed of oxygenated monoterpenes (54.4%). The study on the antifungal effect of essential oils in vitro showed that essential oil of A. verticillata was more effective against P. expansum (64.40%) than A. flovus (41.10%) and F. Solani (53.30%), and the oil of A.herba alba was more effective against A. flavus (54.40%) and (42%) F. Solani. While the combination of these two essential oils of A. verticillata and A. herba-alba gave excellent results, i.e., 100% against P. expansum and A. flavus and 94.40% against F. solani and provided an in vivo protection to the potato in the range of 80% to 90% against the three fungi. Conclusion: A. herba alba and A. verticillata individual and combined essential oils are very effective antifungal biocides that can be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides to prevent their harmful effects on health.