Evaluation of antifungal efficacy of selected essential oils against Botrytis cinerea causing grey mould in chickpea

The current study investigates the antifungal properties of several plant-derived essential oils against Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of grey mould in chickpea. Using a paper disc agar diffusion method, the effectiveness of various oils—including peppermint, citronella, palmarosa, geranium, menthol, neem, and jatropha—was evaluated in vitro. Among these, peppermint oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, producing a 17 mm inhibition zone at an 8 µl concentration and 15 mm at 6 µl. In contrast, jatropha and neem oils demonstrated minimal activity. Field trials, involving three foliar sprays applied at 10-day intervals, confirmed the laboratory results, with peppermint and citronella oils showing significant disease suppression and yield enhancement. Specifically, peppermint oil reduced disease severity by 56.16% and increased grain yield by 50.14%. These findings highlight the potential of certain essential oils, particularly peppermint, as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical fungicides for managing grey mould in chickpea cultivation.