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Fusarium semitectum was isolated at high frequency from collected banana cultivar "Williams" showing crown rot symptoms from commercial markets. The inhibitory effect in vitro of tested essential oils on mycelium growth was higher than on conidium germination of F. semitectum. Complete inhibition of fungal growth and spore germination was recorded at the concentration of 1.0% of tested cinnamon and bitter almond oils. Under storage conditions, artificially inoculated bananas showed reduction in both crown rot disease incidence and severity when treated with cinnamon, thyme bitter and sweet almond oils. Complete reduction (100.0%) of crown rot disease incidence of banana fruits was recorded at the concentration of 4.0% of applied cinnamon and thyme oils, followed by sweet almond and bitter almond oils which they reduced disease incidence by 87.1 and 78.7%, respectively. Stored bananas treated with cinnamon, bitter and sweet almond oils showed no significant differences compared to the control with respect to odour, flavour, taste and overall acceptability. Hence cinnamon, thyme, bitter and sweet almond oils treatment developed during the current study without affecting the organoleptic properties recommended as a safe and cost-effective commercial method for treating bananas to control crown rot disease. |
