Efecto antifúngico del limoneno sobre diferentes especies patógenas de Fusarium

Alternative control methods of fungal diseases have been studied with an emphasis on finding new compounds derived from plants, such as essential oils and extracts, which are considered safer for consumers and the environment. Limonene, a cyclic monoterpene widely found in nature, is the main component of essential oils obtained from the peels of citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, lime, and particularly orange. Despite its prevalence and its use as an antifungal agent, especially against fungi that cause diseases in major crops worldwide, studies on its application in greenhouse assays have been limited. The aim of this research was to evaluate the antifungal activity of limonene against cereal-pathogenic Fusarium species and to assess its effectiveness in controlling Fusarium head blight through plant bioassays. Limonene inhibited mycelial growth in vitro for all tested species, showing effective fungistatic action on pathogens. Regarding plant bioassays, the most significant effect was observed when limonene was applied simultaneously with and after the pathogen, indicating that limonene is not acting as a defense-inducing agent in the plant but directly on the pathogen. When limonene was applied before the pathogen, no significant inhibition of incidence was detected. Further studies are necessary to explore the use of limonene in controlling Fusarium head blight in major crops such as Triticum aestivum L. This study presents promising results for controlling this disease using limonene.