INFLUENCE OF GARLIC AND CINNAMON EXTRACTS ON WILT DISEASE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF BLACK CUMIN (NIGELLA SATIVA L.) PLANTS

In this study, the effect of extracts from garlic (Allium sativum) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) plants at concentrations of 2, 4 and 6% was evaluated compared to the chemical fungicide (Rizolex) as an antifungal against wilt disease as well as on growth and yield of Nigella sativa plants. The experiments were carried out in both the laboratory and the field over the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons, at the Experimental Farm of the Agricultural Research Station in Arab-El-Awamer, Assiut Governorate. According to the laboratory investigation, the most effective treatment was 6% aqueous cinnamon extract, followed by 6% garlic extract, which reduced fungal growth by 77% and 75%, respectively. Applying extracts of garlic or cinnamon as N. sativa seed treatment under greenhouse conditions prevented the fungal infection at all concentrations applied. The maximum yield and the least disease severity were achieved with the highest concentration of 6% garlic extract, compared to the control and other treatments. A 6% concentration of extracts from cinnamon and garlic found to be the most effective treatment in the field testing, which markedly improved all of the features that were being examined. Meanwhile, the highest percentage of fixed oil and antioxidants (24.95 and 76.94%, respectively) of N. sativa was obtained from plants treated with 6% garlic extract as a natural remedy. The results revealed that linoleic and oleic were the main fatty acids, with no significant differences between treatments. Additionally, it was shown that applying garlic extract to N. sativa seeds significantly raised the content of linolenic and palmitoleic acids compared to the other treatments. The findings confirmed the use of garlic and cinnamon extracts as a chemical substitute for total protection, demonstrating their essential growth enhancers and strong antioxidant qualities.