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Antifungal activities of Rosmarinus extracts against Fusarium oxysporum, the pathogenic fungus of Anoectochilus stem rot

Summary

Researchers found that extracts from rosemary plants can effectively fight a fungus that causes stem rot disease in Anoectochilus, a valuable medicinal herb. The rosemary extracts worked both in laboratory tests and when applied to infected plants, reducing disease symptoms and boosting the plant’s natural defense mechanisms. These findings suggest rosemary extracts could be developed as a natural, safer alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides that harm the environment.

Background

Anoectochilus formosanus is a valuable medicinal herb with significant economic value in China, but its production is severely compromised by stem rot disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Synthetic fungicides commonly used for disease control pose environmental and health risks, necessitating exploration of botanical fungicides as safer alternatives.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the antifungal potential of Rosmarinus officinalis aqueous and ethanolic extracts as botanical fungicides against F. oxysporum-induced stem rot in A. formosanus, examine antioxidant enzyme activities and kinsenoside content changes, and elucidate the mode of action through defense-related gene expression analysis.

Results

Rosmarinus ethanolic extracts demonstrated superior antifungal activity compared to aqueous extracts and positive controls, with inhibition rates up to 93.83%. In vivo treatment significantly reduced stem rot incidence and severity while increasing stem weight and plant biomass. EE treatment upregulated expression of cathepsin F, calmodulin, and MAPK signaling pathway genes, and decreased MDA and POD levels in infected plants.

Conclusion

The study confirmed the in vitro antifungal activity of R. officinalis ethanolic extracts against F. oxysporum and demonstrated their in vivo immunoregulatory effects in A. formosanus. These findings highlight the potential of R. officinalis ethanolic extracts for development as botanical fungicides for managing Anoectochilus stem rot disease.
  • Published in:BMC Plant Biology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1186/s12870-025-07894-9, PMID: 41388243
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